PRAK-03202: A triple antigen virus-like particle vaccine candidate against SARS CoV-2

Abstract

The rapid development of safe and effective vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) is a necessary response to coronavirus outbreak. Here, we developed PRAK-03202, the world’s first triple antigen virus-like particle vaccine candidate, by cloning and transforming SARS-CoV-2 gene segments into a highly characterized S. cerevisiae -based D-Crypt™ platform, which induced SARS CoV-2 specific neutralizing antibodies in BALB/c mice. Immunization using three different doses of PRAK-03202 induced an antigen-specific (spike, envelope, and membrane proteins) humoral response and neutralizing potential. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from convalescent patients showed lymphocyte proliferation and elevated interferon levels suggestive of epitope conservation and induction of T helper 1-biased cellular immune response when exposed to PRAK-03202. These data support further clinical development and testing of PRAK-03202 for use in humans.

A perspective on SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles vaccines

“…The S, E, and M proteins from the surface capsid of SARS-CoV-2 viruses are important vaccine targets. Saumyabrata et al [80] reported the recombinant co-expression of three proteins (S, E, and M) in an engineered brewer's yeast platform (D-Crypt™) that self-assembles into virus-like particles (VLPs). This design, as a multi-antigen VLP for SARS CoV-2, has the potential to be a scalable vaccine candidate.…”

A Brief Description of Covid-19 Pulmonary Viral Infection and Repurposing of Drugs for Its Treatment

“…It is a Micro-Needle Array (MNA) based vaccine containing recombinant immunogens, namely, rSARS-CoV-2 S1 and rSARS-CoV-2-S1fRS09 [53].…”

Chimeric chikungunya virus-like particles with surface exposed SARS-CoV-2 RBD elicits potent immunogenic responses in mice

“…These units remarkably resemble wild type viruses without being infectious. The use of eukaryotic expression system has allowed researchers to develop various prophylactic VLP-based vaccine candidates for a few highly pathogenic viruses such as HIV (3), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) (4)(5)(6) , Ebola virus (7,8), dengue fever virus (9)(10)(11), chikungunya virus (CHIKV) (12,13), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) (14) and HCV (15,16). Vaccines that use VLPs are safer than inactivated or attenuated viruses as the chances of virus reversion or incomplete inactivation is avoided.…”