Neutralizing Efficacy of Encapsulin Nanoparticles against SARS-CoV2 Variants of Concern

Abstract

Rapid emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variants has dampened the protective efficacy of existing authorized vaccines. Nanoparticle platforms offer a means to improve vaccine immunogenicity by presenting multiple copies of desired antigens in a repetitive manner which closely mimics natural infection. We have applied nanoparticle display combined with the SpyTag–SpyCatcher system to design encapsulin–mRBD, a nanoparticle vaccine displaying 180 copies of the monomeric SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD). Here we show that encapsulin–mRBD is strongly antigenic and thermotolerant for long durations. After two immunizations, squalene-in-water emulsion (SWE)-adjuvanted encapsulin–mRBD in mice induces potent and comparable neutralizing antibody titers of 105 against wild-type (B.1), alpha, beta, and delta variants of concern. Sera also neutralizes the recent Omicron with appreciable neutralization titers, and significant neutralization is observed even after a single immunization.

Keywords

• SpyTag
• SpyCatcher
• SWE adjuvant
• Omicron
• encapsulin
• thermotolerant