Chapter 11 - Innovative recombinant protein-based vaccines against SARS-CoV-2

ABSTRACT

Vaccines are a preparation of microorganisms or their components, including proteins, carbohydrates, or nucleic acids, which are administered to an organism to induce immunity. The goal of a vaccine is to protect an individual against disease in the future. Unlike vector-based vaccines, protein-based vaccines elicit a specific immune response, and are more immunogenic than nucleic acid vaccines. Genomics, biotechnology, and bioinformatics tools allow even a more targeted design of vaccine candidates, which includes only those parts or epitopes of the relevant antigens in the domains of biological importance. The SARS-CoV-2 virus uses a mechanism of binding through the spike protein (S) to the angiotensin II converting enzyme (ACE2) that is expressed in several tissues in humans. Both, the SARS-CoV-2 genome, and the conformational structure of the S protein have been reported, increasing the possibilities of developing effective vaccines. Importantly, the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the S protein is a highly conserved, immunodominant antigen and antibodies against it have neutralizing capacity. Most of the vaccines in development against SARS-CoV-2 include this domain in their design. In this chapter we will describe the COVID-19 vaccines based on protein antigens, the clinical trials carried out and the capacity for a more effective design through the use of bioinformatics and biotechnology tools.