A Modified Recombinant DNA-Based SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Expressing Stabilized Uncleavable Spike Protein Elicits Humoral and Cellular Immunity against Various SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern

The appearance of several variants of concern (VOCs) of SARS-CoV-2 affects the efficacy of currently available vaccines and causes continuous spread and reinfection between humans. These variants possess different spike (S) protein mutations, which could affect viral pathogenicity, transmission, and immune escape. Herein, we develop a synthetic codon-optimized DNA vaccine (VIU-1007) expressing full-length S protein. The developed vaccine is stabilized by two K986P and V987P proline substitutions and resistant to cleavage by proteases such as furin by deletion of arginine residues (R682, R683, and R685) in multibasic furin cleavage site (RRAR). Additionally, it carries K417N, E484K, N501Y, and D614G substitutions in the receptor binding domain (RBD) derived from the beta VOC. Following the validation and characterization of the in vitro S protein expression, the humoral and cellular immunogenicity of VIU-1007 was assessed in immunized Balb/c mice. While both regimens elicited a Th-1-biased immune response based on S1-specific binding IgG isotypes, three vaccine doses significantly enhanced IgG levels. Furthermore, CD4+ and CD8+ memory T cell responses in spleens and draining inguinal lymph nodes were significantly higher in mice received three doses of VIU-1007 when compared to those received two doses only. Importantly, sera from mice immunized with three doses showed broad neutralization breadth against several SARS-CoV-2 variants, including alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and omicron VOCs. Moreover, the sera showed limited neutralization capacity against SARS-CoV-1, Bat SARS-like coronavirus WIV1, and MERS-CoV. Together, while these data suggest the presence of common neutralizing-rich epitopes between SARS-CoV-2 variants and some other betacoronaviruses, the ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 could result in escape from vaccine-induced immunity, which requires a continuous update of vaccines.