We describe that the response of the adaptive immune system is augmented by multimeric presentation of a specific antigen, resembling viral particles; however, antibodies are also generated against the scaffold. In order to compare polypeptide scaffolds of different size and oligomerization state with respect to their efficiency, including anti-scaffold immunity, we compared several strategies of presentation of the RBD domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Antibody titers and virus neutralization were most potently enhanced by fusion to the small ß-annulus peptide scaffold, which itself triggered a minimal response in contrast to larger scaffolds. Results of the study support the use of a nanoscaffolding platform for design of potent and efficient vaccines.
COBISS.SI-ID: 62539779