AUTHOR=Mooij Petra , García-Arriaza Juan , Pérez Patricia , Lázaro-Frías Adrian , Verstrepen Babs E. , Böszörményi Kinga P. , Mortier Daniella , Fagrouch Zahra , Kiemenyi-Kayere Gwendoline , Niphuis Henk , Acar Roja Fidel , Meijer Lisette , Stammes Marieke A. , Kondova Ivanela , Verschoor Ernst J. , GeurtsvanKessel Corine H. , de Bruin Erwin , Sikkema Reina S. , Luczkowiak Joanna , Delgado Rafael , Montenegro Dolores , Puentes Eugenia , Rodríguez Esteban , Bogers Willy M. J. M. , Koopman Gerrit , Esteban Mariano TITLE=Poxvirus MVA Expressing SARS-CoV-2 S Protein Induces Robust Immunity and Protects Rhesus Macaques From SARS-CoV-2 JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology VOLUME=13 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.845887 DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2022.845887 ISSN=1664-3224 ABSTRACT=

Novel safe, immunogenic, and effective vaccines are needed to control the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2. Here, we describe the safety, robust immunogenicity, and potent efficacy elicited in rhesus macaques by a modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector expressing a full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein (MVA-S). MVA-S vaccination was well tolerated and induced S and receptor-binding domain (RBD)-binding IgG antibodies and neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and several variants of concern. S-specific IFNγ, but not IL-4, -producing cells were also elicited. After SARS-CoV-2 challenge, vaccinated animals showed a significant strong reduction of virus loads in bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) and decreased levels in throat and nasal mucosa. Remarkably, MVA-S also protected macaques from fever and infection-induced cytokine storm. Computed tomography and histological examination of the lungs showed reduced lung pathology in MVA-S-vaccinated animals. These findings favor the use of MVA-S as a potential vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 in clinical trials.