The impact of N-glycans on the immune response of plant-produced SARS-CoV-2 RBD-Fc proteins
Issued Date
2024-09-01
Resource Type
eISSN
2215017X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85196951859
Journal Title
Biotechnology Reports
Volume
43
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Biotechnology Reports Vol.43 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Srisangsung T., Phetphoung T., Manopwisedjaroen S., Rattanapisit K., Bulaon C.J.I., Thitithanyanont A., Limprasutr V., Strasser R., Phoolcharoen W. The impact of N-glycans on the immune response of plant-produced SARS-CoV-2 RBD-Fc proteins. Biotechnology Reports Vol.43 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.btre.2024.e00847 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/99364
Title
The impact of N-glycans on the immune response of plant-produced SARS-CoV-2 RBD-Fc proteins
Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
Plant-based manufacturing has the advantage of post-translational modifications. While plant-specific N-glycans have been associated with allergic reactions, their effect on the specific immune response upon vaccination is not yet understood. In this study, we produced an RBD-Fc subunit vaccine in both wildtype (WT) and glycoengineered (∆XF) Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The N-glycan analysis: RBD-Fc carrying the ER retention peptide mainly displayed high mannose. When produced in WT RBD-Fc displayed complex-type (GnGnXF) N-glycans. In contrast, ∆XF plants produced RBD-Fc with humanized complex N-glycans that lack potentially immunogenic xylose and core fucose residues (GnGn). The three recombinant RBD-Fc glycovariants were tested. Immunization with any of the RBD-Fc proteins resulted in a similar titer of anti-RBD antibodies in mice. Likewise, antisera from subunit RBD-Fc vaccines also demonstrated comparable neutralization against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, we conclude that N-glycan modifications of the RBD-Fc protein have no impact on their capacity to activate immune responses and induce neutralizing antibody production.
