SARS-CoV-2 antigenic cartography for future COVID-19 vaccine composition
Project leaders: Prof. Dr. Albert Osterhaus, Dr. Imke Steffen
Key area
- Antiviral strategies: agents and vaccines, antibodies
Who is involved?
- Dr. Imke Steffen (Project leader, TiHo)
- Prof. Dr. Albert Osterhaus (Project leader, TiHo)
- Prof. Dr. Stefan Pöhlmann (DPZ)
What is the aim?
Given the emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants (VOCs) and their direct impact on future COVID-19 vaccination strategies, the aim of this study is to establish antigenic mapping for the evolution of SARS-CoV-2. For the currently relevant VOCs, we use pseudovirus neutralisation assays and receptor binding domain (RBD) ELISAs to determine specific antibody titres. Sera from hamsters immunised against the currently relevant VOCs and a panel of human sera collected from different continents after the first and last COVID-19 pandemic waves are being tested in these assays to establish a dynamic system for SARS-CoV-2 antigen mapping. Local and global collaborators, including from Italy, South Africa, Ethiopia, the southwestern United States, the northeastern United States and Mexico, each contributing 50 to 100 human sera from convalescents collected at different time points in the ongoing pandemic, are supporting this study. Based on the data generated and with the help of Professor Derek Smith (Cambridge, UK), antigen maps for SARS-CoV-2 will be generated to help guide future vaccine development.
Publications
- No evidence for increased cell entry or antibody evasion by Delta sublineage AY.4.2. Arora P, Kempf A, Nehlmeier I, Graichen L, Winkler MS, Lier M, Schulz S, Jäck HM, Pöhlmann S, Hoffmann M. Cell Mol Immunol. 2022 Mar;19(3):449-452. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41423-021-00811-8