HCoV VACCINE FOR IMPROVING IMMUNITY AGAINST SARS-COV-2 INFECTION

Abstract

Embodiments include a method of using inactivated human cold coronaviruses (HCoVs) particularly HCoV-299E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1, alone or as a booster, for the immunization against SARS-CoV-2 infections. Vaccine embodiments further comprise HCoV virus envelope subunits which may be in the form of virus-like spheroids (VLS).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority as a divisional to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 989,796 filed Aug. 10, 2020.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention in an embodiment relates to a method of using inactivated human cold coronaviruses (HCoVs) vaccine, alone or as a booster, for the immunization against SARS-CoV-2 infections. Preferred HCoVs are selected from at least one of HCoV-299E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1, and preferably selected from a plurality of such group, and most preferably 3 or all four. In a preferred embodiment the vaccine comprises HCoV virus envelope subunits. In a particularly preferred embodiment the vaccine comprises HCoV virus envelope protein in a virus-like sphere (VLS). One method for inactivation of HCoVs, comprises the steps of exposure to copper atoms followed by hydrogen peroxide treatment. Also provided is a vaccine for immunization against SARS-CoV-2 infection comprising at least one un...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The HCoVs vaccine provides prolonged T-cell immunity and reduces ADE risk by expanding the immune response beyond spike proteins, potentially leading to more robust and long-lasting protection against SARS-CoV-2, complementing existing vaccines with short-term B-cell immunity.

Problems solved by technology

It is estimated that somewhere around 20 percent of infected individuals may develop serious consequences.

To date no non-replicating viral vectors have been licensed for immunity commercially.

Three major factors have led groups to recombinant technology, first a believed speed in which a consistent vaccine may be made manufactured as compared to standard techniques, second the commercially cheaper expenditure to produce recombinant vaccines, and lastly a belief that inactivated and attenuated viruses include unnecessary antigenic load that contributes little to the protective immune response, and may actually complicate treatment in inducing allergenic and / or reactive responses.

There is some concern that SARS-CoV-2 vaccines that may initially demonstrate efficacy, may in the future lead to an ADE catastrophe.

T-cell immunity tests are not widely available.

Thus researchers at best have only been able to speculate about possible cross-reactivities between coronaviruses, and the extent that such cross-reactivity may have on a viable immune response.

These studies alone do not provide a basis for determining whether such cross-reactivities are indicative of robust immunity, or alternatively impeding responsiveness to candidate vaccines.

The fact that the Mumbai slums reached 50% antibody levels, may suggest that such cell mediated immunity may not be perfected in all individuals to ward off SARS-COV-2, and that a population with 25% having antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 may be sufficient to cause dramatic drops in death rates and positivity when done in conjunction with other measures such as social distancing and masking.

While resident B-cell activity after SARS-CoV-2 infection still needs to be determined, such finding suggests that at least some vaccinations that are directed to specific epitopes found on SARS-CoV-2 may not provide long term immunity in the line of years of protection.