Immunogenicity and Neutralizing Activity Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Full-Length and Subunit Domain Proteins in Young Adult and Old-Aged Mice

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to be expanding the pandemic disease across the globe. Although SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were rapidly developed and approved for emergency use of vaccination in humans, supply and production difficulties are slowing down the global vaccination program. The efficacy of many different versions of vaccine candidates and adjuvant effects remain unknown, particularly in the elderly. In this study, we compared the immunogenic properties of SARS-CoV-2 full-length spike (S) ectodomain in young adult and aged mice, S1 with receptor binding domain, and S2 with fusion domain. Full-length S was more immunogenic and effective in inducing IgG antibodies after low dose vaccination, compared to the S1 subunit. Old-aged mice induced SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific IgG antibodies with neutralizing activity after high dose S vaccination. With an increased vaccine dose, S1 was highly effective in inducing neutralizing and receptor-binding inhibiting antibodies, although both S1 and S2 subunit domain vaccines were similarly immunogenic. Adjuvant effects were significant for effective induction of IgG1 and IgG2a isotypes, neutralizing and receptor-binding inhibiting antibodies, and antibody-secreting B cell and interferon-gamma secreting T cell immune responses. Results of this study provide information in designing SARS-CoV-2 spike vaccine antigens and effective vaccination in the elderly.

Automated summary

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are facing supply and production challenges, and the efficacy in elderly populations remains unknown. Full-length S vaccine is more immunogenic in inducing IgG antibodies, while S1 subunit can induce neutralizing and receptor-binding inhibiting antibodies at high dose. Adjuvant effects are significant for effective immune responses induction.