DNA‐Engineered Modular Nanovaccines Featuring Precise Topology for Enhanced Immunogenicity

Y Yanfei Qu (Institute of Materiobiology Department of Chemistry College of Science Shanghai University Shanghai 200444 China) D Dawei Wang (Lehn Institute of Functional Materials, GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, IGCME, School of Chemistry) Y Yunlong Zhang (State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China) F Fengyun Shen (Institute of Materiobiology Department of Chemistry College of Science Shanghai University Shanghai 200444 China) B Binghui Xia (Department of Microbiology Faculty of Naval Medicine Naval Medical University Shanghai 200433 China) Q Qin Xu Q Qisheng Wang (Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences) H Huating Kong (Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) Shanghai Advanced Research Institute Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201204 China) Y Ying Zhu L Lihua Wang I Itamar Willner (Institute of Chemistry) X Xiurong Yang (State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun Jilin China) C Chunhai Fan (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhang Jiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine) L Lele Sun (Institute of Materiobiology Department of Chemistry College of Science Shanghai University Shanghai 200444 China)

Abstract

AbstractMultivalent display of antigens can boost subunit vaccine immunogenicity. However, owing to the inherent difficulty in programmatically controlling the topology of multivalent antigens, its impact on antigen immunogenicity remains elusive. In this study, DNA‐mediated modular precision assembly is employed to organize SARS‐CoV‐2 receptor‐binding domains (RBDs) with different topological connections while preserving their epitopes. It is found that branching‐connected RBDs induced significantly higher IgG titers than linear‐connected RBDs at higher antigen valency (≥4). This increase in IgG response is associated with stronger B cell proliferation, likely due to enhanced antigen‐receptor synergistic interactions leading to enhanced B cell receptor signaling. Branching‐connected RBDs also provided superior humoral immunity in mice and stronger protection in SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected hamsters compared to adjuvanted RBD. This work highlights the role of antigen topology in vaccine design and offers a universal modular platform for producing more effective subunit vaccines.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 37, Issue 30
Published July 01, 2025
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (14)

Y

Yanfei Qu

Institute of Materiobiology Department of Chemistry College of Science Shanghai University Shanghai 200444 China

D

Dawei Wang

Lehn Institute of Functional Materials, GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, IGCME, School of Chemistry

Y

Yunlong Zhang

State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road 457, Dalian 116023, China

F

Fengyun Shen

Institute of Materiobiology Department of Chemistry College of Science Shanghai University Shanghai 200444 China

B

Binghui Xia

Department of Microbiology Faculty of Naval Medicine Naval Medical University Shanghai 200433 China

Q

Qin Xu

Q

Qisheng Wang

Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences

H

Huating Kong

Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) Shanghai Advanced Research Institute Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201204 China

Y

Ying Zhu

L

Lihua Wang

I

Itamar Willner

Institute of Chemistry

X

Xiurong Yang

State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Changchun Jilin China

C

Chunhai Fan

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhang Jiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine

L

Lele Sun

Institute of Materiobiology Department of Chemistry College of Science Shanghai University Shanghai 200444 China