Download MendeleyPlant-produced SARS-CoV-2 antibody engineered towards enhanced potency and in vivo efficacy.
de Taeye, S.W., Faye, L., Morel, B., Schriek, A.I., Umotoy, J.C., Yuan, M., Kuzmina, N.A., Turner, H.L., Zhu, X., Grunwald-Gruber, C., Poniman, M., Burger, J.A., Caniels, T.G., Fitchette, A.C., Desgagnes, R., Stordeur, V., Mirande, L., Beauverger, G., de Bree, G., Ozorowski, G., Ward, A.B., Wilson, I.A., Bukreyev, A., Sanders, R.W., Vezina, L.P., Beaumont, T., van Gils, M.J., Gomord, V.(2025) Plant Biotechnol J 23: 4-16
- PubMed: 39563066
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.14458
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
9ARU, 9B82 - PubMed Abstract:
Prevention of severe COVID-19 disease by SARS-CoV-2 in high-risk patients, such as immuno-compromised individuals, can be achieved by administration of antibody prophylaxis, but producing antibodies can be costly. Plant expression platforms allow substantial lower production costs compared to traditional bio-manufacturing platforms depending on mammalian cells in bioreactors. In this study, we describe the expression, production and purification of the originally human COVA2-15 antibody in plants. Our plant-produced mAbs demonstrated comparable neutralizing activity with COVA2-15 produced in mammalian cells. Furthermore, they exhibited similar capacity to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hamster model. To further enhance these biosimilars, we performed three glyco- and protein engineering techniques. First, to increase antibody half-life, we introduced YTE-mutation in the Fc tail; second, optimization of N-linked glycosylation by the addition of a C-terminal ER-retention motif (HDEL), and finally; production of mAb in plant production lines lacking β-1,2-xylosyltransferase and α-1,3-fucosyltransferase activities (FX-KO). These engineered biosimilars exhibited optimized glycosylation, enhanced phagocytosis and NK cell activation capacity compared to conventional plant-produced S15 and M15 biosimilars, in some cases outperforming mammalian cell produced COVA2-15. These engineered antibodies hold great potential for enhancing in vivo efficacy of mAb treatment against COVID-19 and provide a platform for the development of antibodies against other emerging viruses in a cost-effective manner.
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Organizational Affiliation:
