UB-612 Multitope Vaccine Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Non-Spike Proteins Provides Broad and Durable Immune Responses

The SARS-CoV-2 non-Spike (S) structural protein targets of nucleocapsid (N), membrane (M) and envelope (E), critical in the host cell interferon response and memory T-cell immunity, have been grossly overlooked since the inception of COVID vaccine development. To pursue a universal (pan-sarbecovirus) vaccine against ever-emergent future mutants, we explored booster immunogenicity of UB-612, a multitope-vaccine that contains S1-RBD-sFc protein and sequence-conserved rationally designed promiscuous Th and CTL epitope peptides on the Sarbecovirus N, M and S2 proteins. To a subpopulation of infection-free participants (aged 18-85 years) involved in a two-dose Phase-2 trial, a UB-612 booster (third dose) was administered 6-8 months after the second dose. The immunogenicity was evaluated at 14 days post-booster with overall safety monitored until the end of study. The booster induced high viral-neutralizing antibodies against live Wuhan WT (VNT50, 1,711) and Delta (VNT50, 1,282); and against pseudovirus WT (pVNT50, 11,167) vs. Omicron BA.1/BA.2/BA.5 variants (pVNT50, 2,314/1,890/854), respectively. The lower primary neutralizing antibodies in the elderly were uplifted upon boosting to approximately the same high level in young adults. UB-612 also induced potent, durable Th1-oriented (IFN-{gamma}+-) responses (peak/pre-boost/post-boost SFU/106 PBMCs, 374/261/444) along with robust presence of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (peak/pre-boost/post-boost CD107a+-Granzyme B+, 3.6%/1.8%/1.8%). Booster vaccination is safe and well tolerated without SAEs. By recognition against epitopes on Spike (S1-RBD and S2) and non-Spike (N and M) structure proteins, UB-612 provides potent, broad and long-lasting B-cell and T-cell memory immunity and offers a potential as a universal vaccine to fend off Omicrons and new VoCs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe Omicron has swept the globe with a rapid succession of dominating sublineages from BA.1, BA.2, to the current BA.5 with increasing infectivity and antibody evasion. Concerningly, the non-Spike structure proteins that promote T-cell immunity are grossly overlooked in vaccine development. Looking beyond short-interval booster jabs and omicron-updated vaccines, a pragmatic approach to curbing ever-emergent new mutants would be "universal (pan-Sarbecovirus) vaccines" targeting conserved nonmutable epitopes on coronavirus. UB-612, a multitope-vaccine armed with Spike (S1-RBD and S2) and non-Spike targets (Nucleocapsid N and Membrane M), allows booster vaccination to elicit potent, broadly-recognizing, durable B- and T-cell memory immunity. Sequence-conserved epitope peptides were rationally-designed from S2, N and M proteins to synergistically enhance memory helper and cytotoxic T-cell immunity and B-cell immunity.

UB-612, a Multitope Universal Vaccine Eliciting a Balanced B and T Cell Immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern

ImportanceThe SARS-CoV-2 non-spike structural proteins of nucleocapsid (N), membrane (M) and envelope (E) are critical in the host cell interferon response and memory T-cell immunity and have been grossly overlooked in the development of COVID vaccines. ObjectiveTo determine the safety and immunogenicity of UB-612, a multitope vaccine containing S1-RBD-sFc protein and rationally-designed promiscuous peptides representing sequence-conserved Th and CTL epitopes on the Sarbecovirus nucleocapsid (N), membrane (M) and spike (S2) proteins. Design, setting and participantsUB-612 booster vaccination was conducted in Taiwan. A UB-612 booster dose was administered 6-8 months post-2nd dose in 1,478 vaccinees from 3,844 healthy participants (aged 18-85 years) who completed a prior placebo (saline)-controlled, randomized, observer-blind, multi-center Phase-2 primary 2-dose series (100-g per dose; 28-day apart) of UB-612. The interim safety and immunogenicity were evaluated until 14 days post-booster. ExposureVaccination with a booster 3rd-dose (100-g) of UB-612 vaccine. Main outcomes and measuresSolicited local and systemic AEs were recorded for seven days in the e-diaries of study participants, while skin allergic reactions were recorded for fourteen days. The primary immunogenicity endpoints included viral-neutralizing antibodies against live SARS-CoV-2 wild-type (WT, Wuhan strain) and live Delta variant (VNT50), and against pseudovirus WT and Omicron variant (pVNT50). The secondary immunogenicity endpoints included anti-S1-RBD IgG antibody, S1-RBD:ACE2 binding inhibition, and T-cell responses by ELISpot and Intracellular Staining. ResultsNo post-booster vaccine-related serious adverse events were recorded. The most common solicited adverse events were injection site pain and fatigue, mostly mild and transient. The UB-612 booster prompted a striking upsurge of neutralizing antibodies against live WT Wuhan strain (VNT50, 1,711) associated with unusually high cross-neutralization against Delta variant (VNT50, 1,282); and similarly with a strong effect against pseudovirus WT (pVNT50, 6,245) and Omicron variant (pVNT50, 1,196). Upon boosting, the lower VNT50 and pVNT50 titers of the elderly in the primary series were uplifted to the same levels as those of the young adults. The UB-612 also induced robust, durable VoC antigen-specific Th1-oriented (IFN-{gamma}+-) responses along with CD8+ T-cell (CD107a+-Granzyme B+) cytotoxicity. Conclusions and relevanceWith a pronounced cross-reactive booster effect on B- and T-cell immunity, UB-612 may serve as a universal vaccine booster for comprehensive immunity enhancement against emergent VoCs. Trial registration[ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04773067] KEY POINTSO_ST_ABSQuestionC_ST_ABSFacing ever-emergent SARS-CoV-2 variants and long-haul COVID, can composition-updated new vaccines be constructed capable of inducing striking, durable booster-recalled B/T-immunity to prevent infection by VoCs? FindingsIn a Phase-2 extension study, a booster dose of UB-612 multitope protein-peptide vaccine prompted high viral-neutralizing titers against live wild-type virus (VNT50, 1,711), Delta variant (VNT50, 1,282); pseudovirus wild-type (pVNT50, 6,245) and Omicron variant (pVNT50, 1,196). Robust, durable Th1-IFN{gamma}+ responses and CD8+ T cell-(CD107a+-Granzyme B+) cytotoxic activity were both observed. MeaningUB-612 RBD-sFc vaccine armed with T cell immunity-promoting conserved N, M and S2 Th/CTL epitope peptides may serve as a universal vaccine to fend off new VoCs.

High neutralizing antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron after UB-612 booster vaccination

The highly transmissible Omicron variant has caused high rates of breakthrough infections among vaccinated and convalescent individuals. Here, we demonstrate that a booster dose of UB-612 vaccine candidate delivered 7-9 months after primary vaccination increases neutralizing antibody levels by 131-, 61- and 49-fold against ancestral SARS-CoV-2, Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants, respectively. Based on the RBD protein binding antibody responses, we estimated a [~]95% efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 caused by the ancestral strain after a UB-612 booster. Our results support UB-612 vaccine as a potent booster against current and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

A Novel SARS-CoV-2 Multitope Protein/Peptide Vaccine Candidate is Highly Immunogenic and Prevents Lung Infection in an Adeno Associated Virus Human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (AAV hACE2) Mouse Model

A novel multitope protein-peptide vaccine against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and disease is described in this report. The initial development and characterization experiments are presented along with proof-of-concept studies for the vaccine candidate UB-612. UB-612 consists of eight components rationally designed for induction of potently neutralizing antibodies and broad T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2: the S1-RBD-sFc fusion protein, six synthetic peptides (one universal peptide and five SARS-CoV-2-derived peptides), a proprietary CpG TLR-9 agonist at low concentration as an excipient, and aluminum phosphate adjuvant. Through immunogenicity studies in Guinea pigs and rats, we optimized the design of protein/peptide immunogens and selected an adjuvant system, yielding a vaccine that provides excellent S1-RBD binding and high neutralizing antibody responses, robust cellular responses, and a Th1-oriented response at low doses. In challenge studies, UB- 612 vaccination reduced viral load and prevented development of disease in mouse and non-human primate challenge models. With a Phase 1 trial completed, a Phase 2 trial ongoing in Taiwan, and additional trials planned to support global authorizations, UB-612 is a highly promising and differentiated vaccine candidate for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease. Author SummarySARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), has spread globally since its origin in 2019, causing an unprecedented public health crisis that has resulted in greater than 4.7 million deaths worldwide. Many vaccines are under development to limit disease spread and reduce the number of cases, but additional candidates that promote a robust immune response are needed. Here, we describe a multitope protein-peptide vaccine platform that is unique among COVID-19 vaccines. The advantages of our approach are induction of both high levels of neutralizing antibodies as well as a Th/CTL response in the vaccinated host, which mimics the immune response that occurs after natural infection with SARS-CoV-2. We demonstrate that our vaccine is immunogenic and effective in preventing disease in several animal models, including AAV- hACE-2 transduced mice, and both rhesus and cynomolgus macaques. Importantly, no immunopathology was observed in the lungs of immunized animals, therefore showing that antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) does not occur. Our study provides an additional, novel vaccine candidate for advancement in clinical trials to treat and prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease.

Significance of Expression of Soluble L-Selectin in Children Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid with Viral Encephalitis / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To observe the changes of soluble L-selectin(sL-selectin) concentrations in children with viral encephalitis(VE) and probe its significance in pathogenesy and clinic.Methods Selecting 30 children with VE,including 14 mild case and 16 severe case.Collecting their venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) in acute and recovery stage.Using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method to measure sL-selectin concentrations of serum and CSF and comparing with control group,respectively.Results SL-selectin concentrations from serum and CSF in the acute stage were significantly higher than those of control group(all P0.05).Conclusions L-selectin may participate in the pathologic course in VE.The concentrations of sL-selectin from serum and CSF are related with the patients′ condition and it has important reference value in judging patients′ condition,assessing their prognose and guiding clinical treatment.