Name
High-content flow cytometric comparison of immune responses following administration of SARS-CoV2 Spike (S) protein via viral vector and mRNA vaccine platforms
Presenter
Julia May, University of Alberta
Co-Author(s)
Julia May (1,2), Juliette Bougon (1), Adil Mohamed (1), Jessica Ramos (2), Nicole Favis (2), Janelle Nordin (1), Grace Melvie (1), Dirk Taal (1), Lindsay Maslin (1), Janet Wu (1), Ryan Noyce (2), Maya Shmulevitz (1,2) and Troy Baldwin (1,2). Affiliation 1: V3P Consortium. Affiliation 2: Dept. Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta.
Abstract Category
Fighting & Responding
Abstract
The world's experience with the SARS-CoV2 pandemic has illustrated both the necessity and the challenges associated with the rapid development and evaluation of effective vaccines. Whereas most studies focus on assessing single vaccines, we aim to compare how vaccine vector platforms impact ensuing immune responses and subsequent protection. We have developed a workflow for high-content flow cytometry for the purpose of producing a comprehensive characterization of immune cells both in circulation as well as within the lung. Using the SARS-CoV2 Spike (S) protein as a model delivered antigen, we will compare the responses generated by different viral vector vaccines and a commercially available COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. With our workflow, we will provide critical information about the relationship between vaccine vector and the quality, magnitude, and location of the immune response. Our work will also provide a platform for assessing the most effective vaccine for a given model pathogen and identifying the associated correlates of protection.