Biology subjects

Schimanski, L.

Publications and source records attributed to Schimanski, L..

7 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

A mosaic RBD-nanoparticle pan-sarbecovirus vaccine elicits nanobodies that target highly conserved epitopes

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continually mutates, producing new variants of concern (VOCs). Substitutions in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) have resulted in reduced efficacies of vaccines and therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Indeed, since the emergence of Omicron and earlier VOCs, most previously approved anti-RBD therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are no longer authorized as therapeutics. To address VOC substitutions effects on therapeutic antibody efficacy, we sought to identify single-domain nanobodies (VHHs) targeting RBD regions (class 4, class 1/4, portions of class 3 and class 5 RBD epitopes) that are more conserved across VOCs, reasoning that the smaller size of camelid nanobodies compared with conventional two-domain antibody combining sites would facilitate access to occluded RBD epitopes. We used a Beacon optofluidic platform to isolate and characterize single memory B cells from a llama immunized with a mosaic RBD-nanoparticle immunogen that elicits broad antibody responses across sarbecoviruses. Using multiplex binding assays, we identified nanobodies that bind to spike RBDs from diverse sarbecovirus strains. Competition ELISAs and crystal structures of VHH-RBD complexes showed that isolated nanobodies recognize broadly conserved epitopes, including those on the RBD that are inaccessible to analogous conventional two-domain antibodies. Promising VHH-Fcs neutralized SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and zoonotic sarbecoviruses, demonstrating potential therapeutic utility for current and future outbreaks.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2025

Development of a Recombinant Single-Cycle Influenza Viral Vector as an Intranasal Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-like Betacoronaviruses

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the detrimental potential of zoonotic coronavirus transmission to human populations. Effective vaccines capable of eliciting immunity to SARS-CoV-2 have been pivotal in mitigating the spread of the virus. In this study, we describe the generation of a non-replicating pseudotyped influenza A virus (S-FLU), where the native haemagglutinin (HA) sequence is replaced with the coding sequence of either a membrane-anchored form (TM) or secretory form (Sec) of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan (S-RBD Wuhan). We showed that both S-RBD-TM and S-RBD-Sec viruses can be generated via reverse genetics and grown to high titre. Intranasal immunisation in mice with S-RBD-TM elicits robust serum binding and neutralisation activity against SARS-CoV-2, superior to S-RBD-Sec. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a heterologous prime-boost immunisation regime in mice with S-RBD-TM Wuhan and S-RBD-TM BM48-31 (a distant Clade 3 SARS-like betacoronavirus (sarbecovirus)) increases antibody breadth against mismatched sarbecoviruses compared to homologous prime-boost with S-RBD-TM Wuhan. These results suggest that S-RBD-TM is a promising intranasal vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2 and may offer potential as a broadly protective sarbecovirus vaccine.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2024

A broadly-neutralizing antibody against Ebolavirus glycoprotein that potentiates the breadth and neutralization potency of other antibodies

Ebolavirus disease (EVD) is caused by multiple species of Ebolavirus. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the virus glycoprotein (GP) are the only class of therapeutic approved for treatment of EVD caused by Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV). Therefore, mAbs targeting multiple Ebolavirus species may represent the next generation of EVD therapeutics. Broadly reactive anti-GP mAbs were produced; among these, mAbs 11886 and 11883 were broadly neutralizing in vitro. A 3.0 [A] cryo-electron microscopy structure of EBOV GP bound to both mAbs shows that 11886 binds a novel epitope bridging the glycan cap (GC), 310 pocket and GP2 N-terminus, whereas 11883 binds the receptor binding region (RBR) and GC. In vitro, 11886 synergized with a range of mAbs with epitope specificities spanning the RBR/GC, including 11883. Notably, 11886 increased the breadth of neutralization by partner mAbs against different Ebolavirus species. These data provide a strategic route to design improved mAb-based next-generation EVD therapeutics.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

Circadian regulation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung epithelial cells

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, is a global health issue with unprecedented challenges for public health. SARS-CoV-2 primarily infects cells of the respiratory tract, via Spike glycoprotein binding angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2). Circadian rhythms coordinate an organisms response to its environment and can regulate host susceptibility to virus infection. We demonstrate a circadian regulation of ACE2 in lung epithelial cells and show that silencing BMAL1 or treatment with a synthetic REV-ERB agonist SR9009 reduces ACE2 expression and inhibits SARS-CoV-2 entry. Treating infected cells with SR9009 limits viral replication and secretion of infectious particles, showing that post-entry steps in the viral life cycle are influenced by the circadian system. Transcriptome analysis revealed that Bmal1 silencing induced a wide spectrum of interferon stimulated genes in Calu-3 lung epithelial cells, providing a mechanism for the circadian pathway to dampen SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study suggests new approaches to understand and improve therapeutic targeting of SARS-CoV-2.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

A COVID-19 vaccine candidate using SpyCatcher multimerization of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain induces potent neutralising antibody responses

There is dire need for an effective and affordable vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 to tackle the ongoing pandemic. In this study, we describe a modular virus-like particle vaccine candidate displaying the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein receptor-binding domain (RBD) using SpyTag/SpyCatcher technology (RBD-SpyVLP). Low doses of RBD-SpyVLP in a prime-boost regimen induced a strong neutralising antibody response in mice and pigs that was superior to convalescent human sera. We evaluated antibody quality using ACE2 blocking and neutralisation of cell infection by pseudovirus or wild-type SARS-CoV-2. Using competition assays with a monoclonal antibody panel, we showed that RBD-SpyVLP induced a polyclonal antibody response that recognised all key epitopes on the RBD, reducing the likelihood of selecting neutralisation-escape mutants. The induction of potent and polyclonal antibody responses by RBD-SpyVLP provides strong potential to address clinical and logistic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, RBD-SpyVLP is highly resilient, thermostable and can be lyophilised without losing immunogenicity, to facilitate global distribution and reduce cold-chain dependence.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

Plasmablast-derived antibody response to acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans

Serological and plasmablast responses and plasmablast-derived IgG monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been analysed in three COVID-19 patients with different clinical severities. Potent humoral responses were detected within 3 weeks of onset of illness in all patients and the serological titre was elicited soon after or concomitantly with peripheral plasmablast response. An average of 13.7% and 13.0% of plasmablast-derived MAbs were reactive with virus spike glycoprotein or nucleocapsid, respectively. A subset of anti-spike (10 of 32) and over half of anti-nucleocapsid (19 of 35) antibodies cross-reacted with other betacoronaviruses tested and harboured extensive somatic mutations, indicative of an expansion of memory B cells upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fourteen of 32 anti-spike MAbs, including five anti-RBD, three anti-non-RBD S1 and six anti-S2, neutralised wild-type SARS-CoV-2 in independent assays. Anti-RBD MAbs were further grouped into four cross-inhibiting clusters, of which six antibodies from three separate clusters blocked the binding of RBD to ACE2 and five were neutralising. All ACE2-blocking anti-RBD antibodies were isolated from two patients with prolonged fever, which is compatible with substantial ACE2-blocking response in their sera. At last, the identification of non-competing pairs of neutralising antibodies would offer potential templates for the development of prophylactic and therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2019

Broadly inhibiting anti-neuraminidase monoclonal antibodies induced by trivalent influenza vaccine and H7N9 infection in humans

The majority of antibodies induced by influenza neuraminidase (NA), like those against hemagglutinin (HA), are relatively specific to viruses isolated within a limited time-window as seen in serological studies and the analysis of many murine monoclonal antibodies. We report three broadly reactive human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting N1 NA. Two were isolated from a young adult vaccinated with trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV), which inhibited N1 NA from viruses isolated from human over a period of a hundred years. The third antibody isolated from a child with acute mild H7N9 infection inhibited both group 1 N1 and group 2 N9 NAs. In addition, the antibodies cross-inhibited the N1 NAs of highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses. These antibodies are protective in prophylaxis against seasonal H1N1 viruses in mice. This study demonstrates that human antibodies to N1 NA with exceptional cross-reactivity can be recalled by vaccination and highlights the importance of standardizing the NA antigen in seasonal vaccines to offer optimal protection.\n\nImportanceAntibodies to the influenza NA can provide protection against influenza disease. Analysis of human antibodies to NA lags behind that for HA. We show that human monoclonal antibodies against NA induced by vaccination and infection can be very broadly reactive and able to inhibit a wide spectrum of N1 NAs between 1918 and 2018. This suggests that antibodies to NA may be a useful therapy, and that efficacy of influenza vaccines could be enhanced by ensuring appropriate content of NA antigen.\n\nHighlights of the paperO_LIAntibodies that inhibit influenza viruses with N1 neuraminidase (NA), with broad reactivity for viruses isolated between 1918-2018, can be isolated from human recipients of seasonal influenza vaccine\nC_LIO_LIAntibodies targeting N1 NA of human seasonal H1N1 viruses can cross-react with a variety of avian N1 neuraminidases\nC_LIO_LIAcute H7N9 infection can recall memory B cells to N1 NA and elicit cross-reactive antibodies to the group 1 N1 and group 2 N9 NAs\nC_LIO_LIAntibodies to N1 NA with this broad reactivity protect against lethal virus challenge\nC_LI

immunology↗