ABSTRACT
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) enable cell-to-cell communication and, by delivering antigens, can stimulate the immune response strongly. Approved in use SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, candidates immunize with the viral spike protein delivered via viral vectors, translated by injected mRNAs, or as a pure protein. Here, we outline a novel methodological approach for generating SARS-CoV-2 vaccine using exosome that delivers antigens from the SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins. Engineered EVs can be loaded with viral antigens, thus acting as antigens presenting EVs, eliciting strong and targeted CD8(+) T cell and B cell, offering a unique approach to vaccine development. Engineered EVs thus portray a safe, adaptable, and effective approach for a virus-free vaccine development.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Exosomes , Extracellular Vesicles , Humans , COVID-19 Vaccines/metabolism , Exosomes/metabolism , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19/metabolism , Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism , Antigens/metabolism , Viral Proteins/metabolismABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) is a global pandemic that can have a longlasting impact on public health if not properly managed. Ongoing vaccine development trials involve classical molecular strategies based on inactivated or attenuated viruses, single peptides or viral vectors. However, there are multiple issues, such as the risk of reversion to virulence, inability to provide longlasting protection and limited protective immunity. To overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of currently available COVID19 vaccines, an alternative strategy is required to produce safe and efficacious vaccines that impart longterm immunity. Exosomes (key intercellular communicators characterized by low immunogenicity, high biocompatibility and innate cargoloading capacity) offer a novel approach for effective COVID19 vaccine development. An engineered exosomebased vaccine displaying the four primary structural proteins of SARSCoV2 (spike, membrane, nucleocapside and envelope proteins) induces humoral and cell mediated immunity and triggers longlasting immunity. The present review investigated the prospective use of exosomes in the development of COVID19 vaccines; moreover, exosomebased vaccines may be key to control the COVID19 pandemic by providing enhanced protection compared with existing vaccines.