Recombinant receptor-binding motif of spike COVID-19 vaccine candidate induces SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody response

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic necessitates effective therapeutic solutions. The receptor-binding motif (RBM) is a subdomain of the spike protein's receptor-binding domain (RBD) and is critical for facilitating the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to the human ACE2 receptor. This study investigates...

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Main Authors: Hossein Samiei-Abianeh, Shahram Nazarian, Emad Kordbacheh, Alireza Felegary
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences 2024-11-01
Series:BioImpacts
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Online Access:https://bi.tbzmed.ac.ir/PDF/bi-15-30520.pdf
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author Hossein Samiei-Abianeh
Shahram Nazarian
Emad Kordbacheh
Alireza Felegary
author_facet Hossein Samiei-Abianeh
Shahram Nazarian
Emad Kordbacheh
Alireza Felegary
author_sort Hossein Samiei-Abianeh
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic necessitates effective therapeutic solutions. The receptor-binding motif (RBM) is a subdomain of the spike protein's receptor-binding domain (RBD) and is critical for facilitating the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to the human ACE2 receptor. This study investigates the use of the receptor-binding motif (RBM) domain as an immunogen to produce potent neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Methods: The RBM gene was codon-optimized and cloned into the pET17b vector for expression in E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells, induced with 1 mM IPTG. The recombinant RBM protein was purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. After validating the recombinant RBM by Western blotting with anti-His tag antibodies, BALB/c mice were immunized with 20 µg of the purified RBM protein. Anti-RBM IgG was subsequently purified using protein G resin, and its neutralizing capacity was assessed using the Pishtaz Teb Zaman Neutralization Assay Kit. Results: The recombinant RBM protein, with a molecular weight of 10 kDa, was expressed as inclusion bodies. the typical yield of purification was 27 mg/L of bacterial culture. The neutralization test demonstrated a concentration of 36 µg/mL of neutralizing antibodies in the immunized serum, preventing the spike protein from binding to ACE2. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that anti-RBM antibodies exhibited neutralization effects on SARS-CoV-2. These findings provide evidence for the development of a vaccine candidate through the induction of antibodies against the RBM, necessitating further studies with adjuvants suitable for human use to evaluate its potential for human vaccination.
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spelling doaj-art-af3b2b2138f24aed87157f829bb2d5cd2025-08-20T02:57:54ZengTabriz University of Medical SciencesBioImpacts2228-56522228-56602024-11-01151305203052010.34172/bi.30520bi-30520Recombinant receptor-binding motif of spike COVID-19 vaccine candidate induces SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody responseHossein Samiei-Abianeh0Shahram Nazarian1Emad Kordbacheh2Alireza Felegary3Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, IranIntroduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic necessitates effective therapeutic solutions. The receptor-binding motif (RBM) is a subdomain of the spike protein's receptor-binding domain (RBD) and is critical for facilitating the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to the human ACE2 receptor. This study investigates the use of the receptor-binding motif (RBM) domain as an immunogen to produce potent neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Methods: The RBM gene was codon-optimized and cloned into the pET17b vector for expression in E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells, induced with 1 mM IPTG. The recombinant RBM protein was purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. After validating the recombinant RBM by Western blotting with anti-His tag antibodies, BALB/c mice were immunized with 20 µg of the purified RBM protein. Anti-RBM IgG was subsequently purified using protein G resin, and its neutralizing capacity was assessed using the Pishtaz Teb Zaman Neutralization Assay Kit. Results: The recombinant RBM protein, with a molecular weight of 10 kDa, was expressed as inclusion bodies. the typical yield of purification was 27 mg/L of bacterial culture. The neutralization test demonstrated a concentration of 36 µg/mL of neutralizing antibodies in the immunized serum, preventing the spike protein from binding to ACE2. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that anti-RBM antibodies exhibited neutralization effects on SARS-CoV-2. These findings provide evidence for the development of a vaccine candidate through the induction of antibodies against the RBM, necessitating further studies with adjuvants suitable for human use to evaluate its potential for human vaccination.https://bi.tbzmed.ac.ir/PDF/bi-15-30520.pdfcovid-19spike glycoproteinreceptor-binding domainreceptor-binding motifrecombinant proteinsubunit vaccine
spellingShingle Hossein Samiei-Abianeh
Shahram Nazarian
Emad Kordbacheh
Alireza Felegary
Recombinant receptor-binding motif of spike COVID-19 vaccine candidate induces SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody response
BioImpacts
covid-19
spike glycoprotein
receptor-binding domain
receptor-binding motif
recombinant protein
subunit vaccine
title Recombinant receptor-binding motif of spike COVID-19 vaccine candidate induces SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody response
title_full Recombinant receptor-binding motif of spike COVID-19 vaccine candidate induces SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody response
title_fullStr Recombinant receptor-binding motif of spike COVID-19 vaccine candidate induces SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody response
title_full_unstemmed Recombinant receptor-binding motif of spike COVID-19 vaccine candidate induces SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody response
title_short Recombinant receptor-binding motif of spike COVID-19 vaccine candidate induces SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody response
title_sort recombinant receptor binding motif of spike covid 19 vaccine candidate induces sars cov 2 neutralizing antibody response
topic covid-19
spike glycoprotein
receptor-binding domain
receptor-binding motif
recombinant protein
subunit vaccine
url https://bi.tbzmed.ac.ir/PDF/bi-15-30520.pdf
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