Preclinical evaluation of the RBD-Trimeric vaccine: A novel approach to strengthening biotechnological sovereignty in developing countries against SARS-CoV-2 variants

New immunogens against emerging new virus variants are essential for controlling new variants. Methods: A preclinical study in which a receptor-binding domain (RBD) trimer was designed in silico with information from the Beta (B.1.351), Omicron (BA.5), and Wuhan 1 variant. A three-dimensional model...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Luis Flórez, Daniel Echeverri-De la Hoz, Alfonso Calderón, Hector Serrano-Coll, Caty Martinez, Camilo Guzmán, Bertha Gastelbondo, German Arrieta, Ariel Arteta, Tania Márquez, Ricardo Rivero, Salim Máttar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893925000262
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:New immunogens against emerging new virus variants are essential for controlling new variants. Methods: A preclinical study in which a receptor-binding domain (RBD) trimer was designed in silico with information from the Beta (B.1.351), Omicron (BA.5), and Wuhan 1 variant. A three-dimensional model of the RBD-trimer was made, and the synthesis of the trimer was based on the RBD domain of the S protein of Beta and Omicron. For the experimental trials, 63 BALB/c mice were immunized and divided into three groups: control (n = 15), adjuvant (n = 15), and RBD-trimer (n = 33). Results: 81 % (13/16), 90 % (9/10), and 85 % (6/7) of BALB/c mice that received one dose, two doses, and three doses, respectively, seroconverted. Significant statistical differences (p < 0.001) were found between the experimental group vaccinated with the RBD-trimer, the group with adjuvant, and the control group. The booster did not show significant differences (p > 0.05. No inflammatory or cellular changes were observed, highlighting the safety of the RBD vaccine candidate. Kinetics and seroconversion of 75 % were obtained in the mice with two doses of tri-RBD. (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Applying two doses of the RBD vaccine candidate in BALB/c mice was safe and immunogenic against SARS-CoV-2. This study provides support for the country's biotechnological sovereignty and its potential contribution to public health in Colombia.
ISSN:1873-0442