Development of Long-Term Stability of Enveloped rVSV Viral Vector Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Using a DOE-Guided Approach

Liquid formulations have been successfully used in many viral vector vaccines including influenza (Flu), hepatitis B, polio (IPV), Ebola, and COVID-19 vaccines. The main advantage of liquid formulations over lyophilized formulations is that they are cost-effective, as well as easier to manufacture a...

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Main Authors: MD Faizul Hussain Khan, Caroline E. Wagner, Amine A. Kamen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Vaccines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/12/11/1240
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author MD Faizul Hussain Khan
Caroline E. Wagner
Amine A. Kamen
author_facet MD Faizul Hussain Khan
Caroline E. Wagner
Amine A. Kamen
author_sort MD Faizul Hussain Khan
collection DOAJ
description Liquid formulations have been successfully used in many viral vector vaccines including influenza (Flu), hepatitis B, polio (IPV), Ebola, and COVID-19 vaccines. The main advantage of liquid formulations over lyophilized formulations is that they are cost-effective, as well as easier to manufacture and distribute. However, studies have shown that the liquid formulations of enveloped viral vector vaccines are not stable over extended periods of time. In this study, we explored the development of the liquid formulations of an enveloped recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. To do so, we used a design of experiments (DOE) method, which allowed us to assess the stability dynamics of the viral vector in an effective manner. An initial stability study showed that trehalose, gelatin, and histidine were effective at maintaining functional viral titers during freeze–thaw stress and at different temperatures (−20, 4, 20, and 37 °C). These preliminary data helped to identify critical factors for the subsequent implementation of the DOE method that incorporated a stress condition at 37 °C. We used the DOE results to identify the optimal liquid formulations under the selected accelerated stress conditions, which then guided the identification of long-term storage conditions for further evaluation. In the long-term stability study, we identified several liquid formulations made of sugar (sucrose, trehalose, and sorbitol), gelatin, and a histidine buffer that resulted in the improved stability of rVSV-SARS-CoV-2 at 4 °C for six months. This study highlights an effective approach for the development of liquid formulations for viral vector vaccines, contributing significantly to the existing knowledge on enveloped viral vector thermostability.
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spelling doaj-art-527d9cc133244d12b3d6db24fce64e6c2024-11-26T18:24:33ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2024-10-011211124010.3390/vaccines12111240Development of Long-Term Stability of Enveloped rVSV Viral Vector Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Using a DOE-Guided ApproachMD Faizul Hussain Khan0Caroline E. Wagner1Amine A. Kamen2Viral Vectors and Vaccines Bioprocessing Group, Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0E9, CanadaDepartment of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0E9, CanadaViral Vectors and Vaccines Bioprocessing Group, Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0E9, CanadaLiquid formulations have been successfully used in many viral vector vaccines including influenza (Flu), hepatitis B, polio (IPV), Ebola, and COVID-19 vaccines. The main advantage of liquid formulations over lyophilized formulations is that they are cost-effective, as well as easier to manufacture and distribute. However, studies have shown that the liquid formulations of enveloped viral vector vaccines are not stable over extended periods of time. In this study, we explored the development of the liquid formulations of an enveloped recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. To do so, we used a design of experiments (DOE) method, which allowed us to assess the stability dynamics of the viral vector in an effective manner. An initial stability study showed that trehalose, gelatin, and histidine were effective at maintaining functional viral titers during freeze–thaw stress and at different temperatures (−20, 4, 20, and 37 °C). These preliminary data helped to identify critical factors for the subsequent implementation of the DOE method that incorporated a stress condition at 37 °C. We used the DOE results to identify the optimal liquid formulations under the selected accelerated stress conditions, which then guided the identification of long-term storage conditions for further evaluation. In the long-term stability study, we identified several liquid formulations made of sugar (sucrose, trehalose, and sorbitol), gelatin, and a histidine buffer that resulted in the improved stability of rVSV-SARS-CoV-2 at 4 °C for six months. This study highlights an effective approach for the development of liquid formulations for viral vector vaccines, contributing significantly to the existing knowledge on enveloped viral vector thermostability.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/12/11/1240vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)liquid formulationviral vaccine bioprocessenveloped viral vectorstabilitypandemics
spellingShingle MD Faizul Hussain Khan
Caroline E. Wagner
Amine A. Kamen
Development of Long-Term Stability of Enveloped rVSV Viral Vector Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Using a DOE-Guided Approach
Vaccines
vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)
liquid formulation
viral vaccine bioprocess
enveloped viral vector
stability
pandemics
title Development of Long-Term Stability of Enveloped rVSV Viral Vector Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Using a DOE-Guided Approach
title_full Development of Long-Term Stability of Enveloped rVSV Viral Vector Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Using a DOE-Guided Approach
title_fullStr Development of Long-Term Stability of Enveloped rVSV Viral Vector Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Using a DOE-Guided Approach
title_full_unstemmed Development of Long-Term Stability of Enveloped rVSV Viral Vector Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Using a DOE-Guided Approach
title_short Development of Long-Term Stability of Enveloped rVSV Viral Vector Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Using a DOE-Guided Approach
title_sort development of long term stability of enveloped rvsv viral vector expressing sars cov 2 antigen using a doe guided approach
topic vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)
liquid formulation
viral vaccine bioprocess
enveloped viral vector
stability
pandemics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/12/11/1240
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