Self-assembling nanoparticle engineered from the ferritinophagy complex as a rabies virus vaccine candidate

Dan Fu, Wenming Wang, Yan Zhang, Fan Zhang, Pinyi Yang, Chun Yang, Yufei Tian, Renqi Yao, Jingwu Jian, Zixian Sun, Nan Zhang, Zhiyu Ni, Zihe Rao (), Lei Zhao () and Yu Guo ()
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Dan Fu: Nankai University
Wenming Wang: Shanxi University
Yan Zhang: Beihua University
Fan Zhang: PLA General Hospital
Pinyi Yang: Nankai University
Chun Yang: Beihua University
Yufei Tian: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Jingyue Economic Development Zone
Renqi Yao: PLA General Hospital
Jingwu Jian: Nankai University
Zixian Sun: Guangzhou Laboratory
Nan Zhang: Nankai University
Zhiyu Ni: Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University
Zihe Rao: Nankai University
Lei Zhao: PLA General Hospital
Yu Guo: Nankai University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-21

Abstract: Abstract Over the past decade, there has been a growing interest in ferritin-based vaccines due to their enhanced antigen immunogenicity and favorable safety profiles, with several vaccine candidates targeting various pathogens advancing to phase I clinical trials. Nevertheless, challenges associated with particle heterogeneity, improper assembly and unanticipated immunogenicity due to the bulky protein adaptor have impeded further advancement. To overcome these challenges, we devise a universal ferritin-adaptor delivery platform based on structural insights derived from the natural ferritinophagy complex of the human ferritin heavy chain (FTH1) and the nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4). The engineered ferritinophagy (Fagy)-tag peptide demonstrate significantly enhanced binding affinity to the 24-mer ferritin nanoparticle, enabling efficient antigen presentation. Subsequently, we construct a self-assembling rabies virus (RABV) vaccine candidate by noncovalently conjugating the Fagy-tagged glycoprotein domain III (GDIII) of RABV to the ferritin nanoparticle, maintaining superior homogeneity, stability and immunogenicity. This vaccine candidate induces potent, rapid, and durable immune responses, and protects female mice against the authentic RABV challenge after single-dose administration. Furthermore, this universal, ferritin-based antigen conjugating strategy offers significant potential for developing vaccine against diverse pathogens and diseases.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52908-z

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