AAV-vector containing SARS-CoV-2 S receptor binding domain (AAV-SRBD) as a potential vaccine candidate (B02)

• Subject Area: Pneumology, Thoracic Surgery
• Term: from 2010 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 114933180

An effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine is urgently needed for the control of the disastrous pandemic outbreak and return to everyday life, but the criteria for protective immune responses are poorly defined. Here we suggest to adopt a vaccine approach based upon the Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector platform that we recently showed to protect against immunologically distinct influenza A viruses (IAV) to target SARS-CoV-2. Utilizing AAV vectors expressing the immunogenic S surface glycoprotein of SARSCoV- 2, we will evaluate their protective efficacy towards a viral challenge in murine models and the Roborovski dwarf hamster model of COVID-19. Moreover, we will characterize key virological and immunological parameters in immunized and challenged animals to explore correlates of infection in COVID-19, the knowledge of which is much needed to define a protective immune status.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 84: Innate Immunity of the Lung: Mechanisms of Pathogen Attack and Host Defence in Pneumonia
• Applicant Institution: shared FU Berlin and HU Berlin through:; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Susanne Valerie Herold, Ph.D.; Christin Peteranderl, Ph.D., until 7/2020; Professor Dr. Stephan Pleschka, until 6/2018; Privatdozent Dr. Thorsten Wolff