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The immediate call for translational research in the field of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, needs new and unexplored angles to support and contribute to this important worldwide health problem. The aim of this study is to better understand the pathogenic mechanisms underlying COVID-19, deciphering the carbohydrate-mediated interactions of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. We studied the carbohydrate-binding receptors that could be important for viral entry and for immune-modulatory responses, and we studied the interactions of the spike protein with the host lung microbiota. Exploring solid-phase immunoassays, we evaluated the interactions between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and a library of 12 different human carbohydrate-binding proteins (C-type lectins and Siglecs) involved in binding, triggering and modulation of innate and adaptive immune-responses. We revealed a specific binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the receptors DC-SIGN, MGL, Siglec-9 and Siglec-10 that are all expressed on myeloid immune cells. In addition, because the lung microbiota can promote or modulate viral infection, we studied the interactions between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and a library of Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides, as well as other bacterial glyco-conjugates. We show specific binding of the spike protein to different S. pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides (serotypes 19F and 23F but not to serotype 14). Moreover we demonstrated a specific binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the lipopolysaccharide from the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the leading cause of acute nosocomial infections and pneumonia. Interestingly, we identified rhamnosylated epitopes as one of the discriminating structures in lung microbiota to bind SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. In conclusion, we revealed novel ACE2-independent carbohydrate-mediated interactions with immune modulating lectins expressed on myeloid cells, as well as host lung microbiota glycoconjugates. Our results identified new molecular pathways using host lectins and signalling, that may contribute to viral infection and subsequent immune exacerbation. Moreover we identified specific rhamnosylated epitopes in lung microbiota to bind SARS-CoV-2, providing a hypothetical link between the presence of specific lung microbiota and SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity.

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The efficacy of protein and carbohydrate antigens as vaccines can be improved via particulate delivery strategies. Here, protein and carbohydrate antigens used in formulations of vaccines against Neisseria menigitidis were displayed on in vivo assembled polyester beads using a combined bioengineering and conjugation approach. An endotoxin-free mutant of Escherichia coli was engineered to produce translational fusions of antigens (Neisseria adhesin A (NadA) and factor H binding protein (fHbp) derived from serogroup B) to the polyhydroxybutyrate synthase (PhaC), in order to intracellularly assemble polyester beads displaying the respective antigens. Purified beads displaying NadA showed enhanced immunogenicity compared to soluble NadA. Both soluble and particulate NadA elicited functional antibodies with bactericidal activity associated with protective immunity. To expand the antigen repertoire and to design a more broadly protective vaccine, NadA-PhaC beads were additionally conjugated to the capsular polysaccharide from serogroup C. Co-delivery of surface displayed NadA and the capsular polysaccharide induced a strong and specific Th1/Th17 mediated immune response associated with functional bactericidal antibodies. Our findings provide the foundation for the design of multivalent antigen-coated polyester beads as suitable carriers for protein and polysaccharide antigens in order to induce protective immunity.

The development of recombinant COVID-19 vaccines has resulted from scientific progress made at an unprecedented speed during 2020. The recombinant spike glycoprotein monomer, its trimer, and its recombinant receptorbinding domain (RBD) induce a potent anti-RBD neutralizing antibody response in animals. In COVID-19 convalescent sera, there is a good correlation between the antibody response and potent neutralization. In this review, we summarize with a critical view the molecular aspects associated with the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 RBD with its receptor in human cells, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the epitopes involved in the neutralizing activity, and the impact of virus mutations thereof. Recent trends in RBD-based vaccines are analyzed, providing detailed insights into the role of antigen display and multivalence in the immune response of vaccines under development.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a human pathogen responsible for the majority of childhood pneumonia and media otitis cases worldwide. The diversity of its capsular polysaccharides (CPS) results in more than 91 serotypes of which at least 23 are virulent. Various CPS conjugated to immunogenic carrier proteins are currently licensed and provide protection against the infection caused by the respective serotypes but not against new and emerging virulent serotypes. In this study, we considered the conserved protein antigen PsaA, the pneumococcal surface adhesin A, in order to overcome the limitations of CPS antigens. The PsaA was translationally fused to a polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) synthase which mediated production of PsaA displayed on PHB inclusions in recombinant Escherichia coli. This suggested that the PsaA fusion to the PHB synthase did not interfere with PHB synthase activity and its ability to mediate formation of nano-sized inclusions composed of a PHB core surrounded by the PHB synthase fused to PsaA. Isolated PHB beads showed a negative surface charge. Transmission electron microscopy analysis suggested that the PsaA fusion to the PHB synthase reduced the size of PHB beads from about 500 nm to 100 nm. The integrity and antigenicity of the fusion protein attached to isolated PHB beads was confirmed by SDS-PAGE, tryptic peptide fingerprinting analysis using MALDI-TOF-MS/MS and immunoblotting using a monoclonal anti-PsaA antibody. Mice immunized with PsaA displaying PHB beads produced high and specific IgG levels dominated by IgG1 isotype. While IgG1 titer were similar between soluble and insoluble PsaA, the IgG2 titers were strongly increased upon vaccination with insoluble PsaA i.e. PsaA displayed on PHB beads. Particulate PsaA-PHB beads elicited IgG antibodies recognizing PsaA in whole cell lysates of seven different serotypes of S. pneumoniae. This study suggested that PHB beads are suitable carriers for PsaA in order to induce a significant and specific Th-2-type immune response.

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Background As a first step towards a vaccine protecting COVID-19 convalescents from reinfection, we evaluated FINLAY-FR-1A vaccine in a clinical trial. Methods Thirty COVID-19 convalescents aged 22-57 years were studied: convalescents of mild COVID-19, asymptomatic convalescents, both with PCR-positive at the moment of diagnosis; and individuals with subclinical infection detected by viral-specific IgG. They received a single intramuscular injection of the FINLAY-FR-1A vaccine (50 µg of the recombinant dimeric receptor binding domain). The primary outcomes were safety and reactogenicity, assessed over 28 days after vaccination. The secondary outcome was vaccine immunogenicity. Humoral response at baseline and following vaccination was evaluated by ELISA and live-virus neutralization test. The effector T cellular response was also assessed. Cuban Public Registry of Clinical Trials, WHO-ICTRP: https://rpcec.sld.cu/en/trials/RPCEC00000349-En . Findings No serious adverse events were reported. Minor adverse events were found, the most common, local pain: 3 (10%) and redness: 2 (6·7%). The vaccine elicited a >21 fold increase in IgG anti-RBD antibodies 28 days after vaccination. The median of inhibitory antibody titres (94·0%) was three times greater than that of the COVID-19 convalescent panel. Virus neutralization titres higher than 1:160 were found in 24 (80%) participants. There was also an increase in RBD-specific T cells producing IFN-γ and TNF-α. Interpretation A single dose of the FINLAY-FR-1A vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 was an efficient booster of pre-existing natural immunity, with excellent safety profile. Funding Partial funding for this study was received from the Project-2020-20, Fondo de Ciencia e Innovación (FONCI), Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, Cuba. RESUMEN Antecedentes Como un primer paso hacia una vacuna que proteja a los convalecientes de COVID-19 de la reinfección, evaluamos la vacuna FINLAY-FR-1A en un ensayo clínico. Métodos Se estudiaron treinta convalecientes de COVID-19 de 22 a 57 años: convalecientes de COVID-19 leve y convalecientes asintomáticos, ambos con prueba PCR positiva al momento del diagnóstico; e individuos con infección subclínica detectada por IgG específica viral. Los participantes recibieron una dosis única por vía intramuscular de la vacuna FINLAY-FR-1A (50 µg del dominio de unión al receptor recombinante dimérico del SARS CoV-2). Las variables de medida primarias fueron la seguridad y la reactogenicidad, evaluadas durante 28 días después de la vacunación. La variable secundaria, la inmunogenicidad. La respuesta humoral, al inicio del estudio y después de la vacunación, se evaluó por ELISA y mediante la prueba de neutralización del virus vivo. También se evaluó la respuesta de células T efect...