Intranasal administration of NDV-HXP-S COVID19 vaccines induces robust protective mucosal and systemic immunity in mice

With the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continually changing and no end of this pandemic in sight, a next generation of vaccines preventing transmission and an equitable allocation is needed in order to reduce global disease burden. The NDV-HXP-S vaccine is based on recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) stably expressing a membrane-anchored, optimized (with six proline mutations – Hexa Pro) spike protein1. Using the current influenza virus vaccine manufacturing facilities, this vaccine can be produced in embryonated eggs and thereby can meet the demands on a global scale at a low cost. Here, we report that mice vaccinated intranasally (i.n.) with different designs and regimens of our live NDV-HXP-S induced strong antibody response, displaying good systemic as well as mucosal immunity. Furthermore, the T and B cell responses in the lung were characterized via flow cytometry. It is important to emphasize, that we have been able to quickly adapt the vaccine to newly emerging variants of concern (VOC) of SARS-CoV-2. Please click Download on the upper right corner to see the full abstract