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Assessment of Immunogenic and Antigenic Properties of Recombinant Nucleocapsid Proteins of Five SARS-CoV-2 Variants in a Mouse Model.

Alexandra Ya RakNikolay P GorbunovValeria A KostevichAlexey V SokolovPolina ProkopenkoLarisa RudenkoIrina Isakova-Sivak
Published in: Viruses (2023)
COVID-19 cases caused by new variants of highly mutable SARS-CoV-2 continue to be identified worldwide. Effective control of the spread of new variants can be achieved through targeting of conserved viral epitopes. In this regard, the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein, which is much more conserved than the evolutionarily influenced spike protein (S), is a suitable antigen. The recombinant N protein can be considered not only as a screening antigen but also as a basis for the development of next-generation COVID-19 vaccines, but little is known about induction of antibodies against the N protein via different SARS-CoV-2 variants. In addition, it is important to understand how antibodies produced against the antigen of one variant can react with the N proteins of other variants. Here, we used recombinant N proteins from five SARS-CoV-2 strains to investigate their immunogenicity and antigenicity in a mouse model and to obtain and characterize a panel of hybridoma-derived monoclonal anti-N antibodies. We also analyzed the variable epitopes of the N protein that are potentially involved in differential recognition of antiviral antibodies. These results will further deepen our knowledge of the cross-reactivity of the humoral immune response in COVID-19.
Keyphrases
  • sars cov
  • respiratory syndrome coronavirus
  • immune response
  • mouse model
  • copy number
  • protein protein
  • healthcare
  • transcription factor
  • escherichia coli
  • small molecule
  • dendritic cells
  • drug delivery