Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a nasal spray efficiently block viral transmission between ferrets
Kiira Gildemann,
Mari-Liis Tsernant,
Laura Liivand,
Retti Ennomäe,
Väino Poikalainen,
Lembit Lepasalu,
Siimu Rom,
Ants Kavak,
Robert Marsden Cox,
Josef Dieter Wolf,
Carolin Maria Lieber,
Richard Karl Plemper,
Andres Männik,
Mart Ustav, Jr.,
Mart Ustav,
Joachim Matthias Gerhold
Affiliations
Kiira Gildemann
Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ, Õssu, Kambja vald, 61713 Tartumaa, Estonia
Mari-Liis Tsernant
Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ, Õssu, Kambja vald, 61713 Tartumaa, Estonia
Laura Liivand
Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ, Õssu, Kambja vald, 61713 Tartumaa, Estonia
Retti Ennomäe
Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ, Õssu, Kambja vald, 61713 Tartumaa, Estonia
Väino Poikalainen
Teadus ja Tegu OÜ, Märja, 61406 Tartu, Tartumaa, Estonia
Lembit Lepasalu
Teadus ja Tegu OÜ, Märja, 61406 Tartu, Tartumaa, Estonia
Siimu Rom
Chemi-Pharm AS, Tänassilma, 76404 Harjumaa, Estonia
Ants Kavak
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
Robert Marsden Cox
Center for Translational Antiviral Research, Georgia State University Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
Josef Dieter Wolf
Center for Translational Antiviral Research, Georgia State University Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
Carolin Maria Lieber
Center for Translational Antiviral Research, Georgia State University Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
Richard Karl Plemper
Center for Translational Antiviral Research, Georgia State University Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
Andres Männik
Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ, Õssu, Kambja vald, 61713 Tartumaa, Estonia
Mart Ustav, Jr.
Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ, Õssu, Kambja vald, 61713 Tartumaa, Estonia
Mart Ustav
Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ, Õssu, Kambja vald, 61713 Tartumaa, Estonia
Joachim Matthias Gerhold
Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ, Õssu, Kambja vald, 61713 Tartumaa, Estonia; Corresponding author
Summary: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread in the population. We recently reported the production of bovine colostrum-derived antibodies that can neutralize the virus. These have been formulated into a nasal spray. The immunoglobulin preparation is capable of blocking interaction of the trimeric spike protein (Tri S) of SARS-CoV-2 with the cellular receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), entry of a pseudovirus carrying the Tri S into ACE2 over-expressing human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells, and entry of the virus into live Vero E6 cells. Using an ELISA assay, we demonstrate here that this holds true for different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Using the ferret transmission model, we show that the nasal spray formulation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins efficiently blocks transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from infected to uninfected ferrets. The results indicate that the use of the nasal spray in humans can add an effective additional layer of protection against the virus, and might be applicable for other viruses of the upper respiratory tract.
