Nucleic acid vaccines for coronavirus

Abstract

Provided herein are therapeutic nucleic acid molecules for managing, preventing and/or treating infectious diseases caused by coronavirus. Also provided herein are therapeutic compositions, including vaccines and lipid nanoparticles, comprising the therapeutic nucleic acids and related therapeutic methods and uses.

1 .- 83 . (canceled) 
     
     
         84 . A nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide derived from the spike (S) protein of coronavirus SARS-COV-2, wherein the polypeptide is an immunogenic fragment of the S protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:16, wherein the immunogenic fragment of the S protein does not contain the full-length S protein. 
     
     
         85 . The nucleic acid of  claim 84 , wherein the immunogenic fragment of the S protein comprises the receptor binding motif (RBM) of the S protein. 
     
     
         86 . The nucleic acid of  claim 84 , wherein the immunogenic fragment of the S protein comprises the receptor binding motif (RBM) of the S protein and a S protein mutation corresponding to the N501T amino acid substitution. 
     
     
         87 . The nucleic acid of  claim 84 , wherein the nucleic acid is an mRNA molecule. 
     
     
         88 . A composition comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 84  and at least one lipid. 
     
     
         89 . The composition of  claim 88 , wherein the at least one lipid forms a lipid nanoparticle encapsulating the nucleic acid. 
     
     
         90 . The composition of  claim 89 , wherein the nucleic acid is an mRNA. 
     
     
         91 . The composition of  claim 90 , wherein the composition is a pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         92 . The composition of  claim 91 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is a vaccine. 
     
     
         93 . A method for eliciting an immune response to coronavirus SARS-COV-2 in a system, wherein the method comprises contacting the composition of  claim 88  with the system under a suitable condition that allows expression of the nucleic acid in the system. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the system is a subject, and wherein the contacting is performed by administration to the subject. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the immune response comprises production of a neutralizing antibody against coronavirus SARS-COV-2. 
     
     
         96 . A method for reducing viral titer of coronavirus SARS-COV-2 in a system, wherein the method comprises contacting the composition of  claim 88  with the system under a suitable condition that allows expression of the nucleic acid in the system. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 96 , wherein the system is a subject, and wherein the contacting is performed by administration to the subject.