Enhanced Immunogenicity and Affinity with A35R-Fc-Based Chimeric Protein Compared to MPXV A35R Protein
Shimeng Bai,
Yanxin Cui,
Qibin Liao,
Hongyang Yi,
Zhonghui Liao,
Gengwei Zhang,
Fenfang Wu,
Hongzhou Lu
Affiliations
Shimeng Bai
School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu 233030, China
Yanxin Cui
School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu 233030, China
Qibin Liao
Bio-Therapeutic Center, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, Second Hospital Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518112, China
Hongyang Yi
Bio-Therapeutic Center, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, Second Hospital Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518112, China
Zhonghui Liao
School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu 233030, China
Gengwei Zhang
Bio-Therapeutic Center, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, Second Hospital Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518112, China
Fenfang Wu
Bio-Therapeutic Center, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, Second Hospital Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518112, China
Hongzhou Lu
School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu 233030, China
The re-emergence of the mpox pandemic poses considerable challenges to human health and societal development. There is an urgent need for effective prevention and treatment strategies against the mpox virus (MPXV). In this study, we focused on the A35R protein and created a chimeric A35R-Fc protein by fusing the Fc region of IgG to its C-terminal. We then assessed its reactivity with A35R-specific antibodies and human convalescent plasma, as well as its immunogenicity. Our findings indicate that the A35R-Fc protein significantly enhances affinity to A35R antibodies compared to the commercially available A35R protein and exhibits considerable reactivity to human plasma. Additionally, mice immunized with A35R-Fc exhibited increased neutralizing antibody titers against the live MPXV. These results support the potential of Fc domain chimeric antigens as a strategy to enhance the efficacy of subunit vaccines targeting the MPXV.
