Single-shot Ad26 vaccine protects against SARS-CoV-2 in rhesus macaques

A safe and effective vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may be required to end the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic1–8. For global deployment and pandemic control, a vaccine that requires only a single immunization would be optimal. Here we show the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a single dose of adenovirus serotype 26 (Ad26) vector-based vaccines expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein in non-human primates. Fifty-two rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) were immunized with Ad26 vectors that encoded S variants or sham control, and then challenged with SARS-CoV-2 by the intranasal and intratracheal routes9,10. The optimal Ad26 vaccine induced robust neutralizing antibody responses and provided complete or near-complete protection in bronchoalveolar lavage and nasal swabs after SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Titres of vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibodies correlated with protective efficacy, suggesting an immune correlate of protection. These data demonstrate robust single-shot vaccine protection against SARS-CoV-2 in non-human primates. The optimal Ad26 vector-based vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, termed Ad26.COV2.S, is currently being evaluated in clinical trials

Dissecting strategies to tune the therapeutic potential of SARS-CoV-2–specific monoclonal antibody CR3022

The rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), coupled with a lack of therapeutics, has paralyzed the globe. Although significant effort has been invested in identifying antibodies that block infection, the ability of antibodies to target infected cells through Fc interactions may be vital to eliminate the virus. To explore the role of Fc activity in SARS-CoV-2 immunity, the functional potential of a cross–SARS-reactive antibody, CR3022, was assessed. CR3022 was able to broadly drive antibody effector functions, providing critical immune clearance at entry and upon egress. Using selectively engineered Fc variants, no protection was observed after administration of WT IgG1 in mice or hamsters. Conversely, the functionally enhanced Fc variant resulted in increased pathology in both the mouse and hamster models, causing weight loss in mice and enhanced viral replication and weight loss in the more susceptible hamster model, highlighting the pathological functions of Fc-enhancing mutations. These data point to the critical need for strategic Fc engineering for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Nucleotide sequences in mouse DNA and RNA specific for Moloney sarcoma virus.

Complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesized by Moloney murine sarcoma virus (M-MSV) was separated into two parts, the first, termed MSV-specific cDNA, composed of nucleotide sequences found only in M-MSV viral RNA, and the second, termed MSV-MuLV common cDNA, composed of nucleotide sequences that were found in both M-MSV and murine leukemia virus (MuLV) VIRAL RNAs. RNA complementary to the MSV-specific cDNA was not found in several other MSV isolates, nor in ecotropic MuLV, mouse mammary tumor virus, or several murine xenotropic oncoviruses. Cellular DNA of several species was examined for the presence of nucleotide sequences complementary to MSV-specific cDNA. Cells transformed by M-MSV did contain MSV-specific cDNA in their DNA. Normal mouse cell DNA apparently contained the majority of MSV-specific nucleotide sequences. Cellular DNA of related species contained proportionally less MSV-specific cDNA. Hybrids of MSV-spedivic cDNA and cellular DNA of related species melted at lower temperatures than hybrids of MSV-specific cDNA and mouse cellular DNA. RNA from normal mouse adult or embryonic cells did not contain detectable nucleotide sequences complementary to MSV-specific cDNA. Transformation of cells with M-msv resulted in transcription of RNA hybridizing with MSV-specific cDNA. Methylcholanthrene-induced mouse sarcomas and cell lines derived from them did not contain RNA complementary to MSV-specific cDNA. Mouse cell lines transformed with avian sarcoma virus or Kirsten MSV-specific cDNA. RNA homologous to MSV-specific nucleotide sequences is measurably present only in cells transformed by M-MSV and not in cells transformed by other biological or chemical agents that also cause sarcomas