Laser-facilitated epicutaneous immunization of mice with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein induces antibodies inhibiting spike/ACE2 binding

Publication

Laser-facilitated epicutaneous immunization of mice with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein induces antibodies inhibiting spike/ACE2 binding

Journal Paper/Review - Jun 26, 2021

Scheiblhofer Sandra, Drothler Stephan, Braun Werner, Braun Reinhard, Bösch Maximilian, Weiss Richard

Citation

Scheiblhofer S, Drothler S, Braun W, Braun R, Bösch M, Weiss R. Laser-facilitated epicutaneous immunization of mice with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein induces antibodies inhibiting spike/ACE2 binding. Vaccine 2021; 39:4399-4403.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Vaccine 2021; 39

Publication Date

Jun 26, 2021

Issn Electronic

1873-2518

Pages

4399-4403

Brief description/objective

The skin represents an attractive target tissue for vaccination against respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. Laser-facilitated epicutaneous immunization (EPI) has been established as a novel technology to overcome the skin barrier, which combines efficient delivery via micropores with an inherent adjuvant effect due to the release of danger-associated molecular patterns. Here we delivered the S1 subunit of the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to the skin of BALB/c mice via laser-generated micropores with or without CpG-ODN1826 or the B subunit of heat-labile enterotoxin of E.coli (LT-B). EPI induced serum IgG titers of 1:3200 that could be boosted 5 to 10-fold by co-administration of LT-B and CpG, respectively. Sera were able to inhibit binding of the spike protein to its receptor ACE2. Our data indicate that delivery of recombinant spike protein via the skin may represent an alternative route for vaccines against Covid-19.