{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Evaluation of an RBD-nucleocapsid fusion protein as a booster candidate for COVID-19 vaccine.
{Author}: Valiate BVS;Castro JT;Marçal TG;Andrade LAF;Oliveira LI;Maia GBF;Faustino LP;Hojo-Souza NS;Reis MAAD;Bagno FF;Salazar N;Teixeira SR;Almeida GG;Gazzinelli RT;
{Journal}: iScience
{Volume}: 27
{Issue}: 7
{Year}: 2024 Jul 19
{Factor}: 6.107
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110177
{Abstract}: Despite successful vaccines and updates, constant mutations of SARS-CoV-2 makes necessary the search for new vaccines. We generated a chimeric protein that comprises the receptor-binding domain from spike and the nucleocapsid antigens (SpiN) from SARS-CoV-2. Once SpiN elicits a protective immune response in rodents, here we show that convalescent and previously vaccinated individuals respond to SpiN. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from these individuals produced greater amounts of IFN-γ when stimulated with SpiN, compared to SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Also, B cells from these individuals were able to secrete antibodies that recognize SpiN. When administered as a boost dose in mice previously immunized with CoronaVac, ChAdOx1-S or BNT162b2, SpiN was able to induce a greater or equivalent immune response to homologous prime/boost. Our data reveal the ability of SpiN to induce cellular and humoral responses in vaccinated human donors, rendering it a promising candidate.