Immunological strategies against spike protein: Neutralizing antibodies and vaccine development for COVID‐19

Abstract

Abbreviations ACE2 angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 ADE antibody‐dependent enhancement BTK Bruton tyrosine kinase COVID‐19 novel coronavirus disease‐2019 RBD receptor‐binding domain S protein spike glycoprotein SARS severe acute respiratory syndrome SARS‐CoV‐2 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SpO2peripheral capillary oxygen peripheral capillary oxygen saturation Dear Editor, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), which is caused by infection of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), is currently a devastating threat to public health. Recent transcriptional analysis revealed that there was an imbalanced response with minimal levels of interferons and a remarkable increase of chemotactic and inflammatory response characterized by expression of IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF, CXCL1 as shown in Figure 1.1 The excessive formation of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL‐6 and IL‐1β, may result in a higher risk of vascular hyperpermeability and respiratory failure.1, 2 Recent research progress on mechanistic studies of SARS‐CoV‐2 and clinical trials of neutralizing antibodies and vaccine development is one giant leap. Express a specific antigen with flu vector to induce immunity targeting the RBD of S protein Whole virus from Beijing Institute of Biological Products/Wuhan Institute of Biological Products or Sinovac Activate an immune response that can protect against infection before the virus is killed by the immune system. Because the vaccine virus is replication‐competent, there is a risk of reversion to virulence after administration, albeit small. Inactivated vaccines Yes, inactivated poliovirus vaccine, whole cell pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine, rabies vaccine and the hepatitis A virus PiCo vaccine, whole virus from Beijing Institute of Biological Products BBIBP‐CorV (Sinopharm/CNBG, China) Very safe, without the risk of the virus or bacteria mutating back into its disease‐causing pathogen, can be freeze dried and easily stored Phase I ChiCTR2000031809 NCT04352608 The phase III trial (PiCo) is underway in Brazil, The phase III trial of BBIBP‐CorV is underway in Abu Dhabi, UAE 13, 14 NVX‐CoV2373 was synthesized by a combination of the genetic sequence of SARS‐CoV‐2 with a proprietary Matrix‐M adjuvant.