The present disclosure generally relates to novel epitope-based compositions, including vaccines, against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and diseases caused by SARS-CoV-2, including the highly contagious coronavirus disease 2019 (which has been termed and may be referred to herein as “COVID-19”, “2019-nCoV”, or the “2019 novel coronavirus”. The disclosure relates to immunogenic polypeptides and the uses thereof, particularly in vaccine compositions. The disclosure also relates to nucleic acids, vectors, and cells which express the polypeptides and the uses thereof. The polypeptides more specifically comprise an agretope predicted to be a ligand of HLA class I and/or HLA class II MHC molecules, as well as an epitope that is predicted to be recognized by T-cells in the context of MHC class I and/or class II molecules. The compositions are particularly suited to produce vaccines, particularly for vaccinating against SARS-CoV-2 infection and related diseases caused by SARS-CoV-2, including COVID-19.

Provided is a method of enhancing an antigen-induced long-lasting immune response in a host comprising administering to a host an effective amount of: (a) a nonpathogenic recombinant rabies virus comprising at least three copies of a mutated G gene, wherein said mutated G gene encodes a rabies virus glycoprotein wherein the glycoprotein amino acid 194 is serine and the glycoprotein amino acid 333 is glutamic acid, wherein said recombinant rabies virus does not express a foreign protein antigen; and (b) a Coronavirus antigen that is not expressed by the rabies virus. Also provided are related compositions, kits and vaccines.

Provided herein are recombinant polypeptides comprising a SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein binding domain polypeptide and a GM-CSF polypeptide, polynucleotide sequences encoding the same, virus-like particles comprising the same, and methods for using these compositions for the treatment of a SARS-CoV-2 infection in a subject, and for detection of a SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a subject.

Modified microorganisms, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of preventing and treating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are disclosed.

Present application relates to a strategy for compensating for transesterification degradation of lipid-encapsulated SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine, in liquid formulations for high-volume distribution. This involves determining the rate of degradation of the encapsulated RNA and calculating an appropriate overage relative to the intended dose. Alternatively, a higher dose of the RNA may be administered to compensate for loss of effective RNA or the RNA may be formulated in higher purity in anticipation of degradation. The strategy provides a balance between supplying effective and safe products and the need for costly manufacturing processes or transportation hurdles, such as cold-chain supply.

In various embodiments immunogenic nanoparticles are provided that are capable of raising an immune response directed against one or more viral proteins and/or protein fragments. In certain embodiments the immunogenic nanoparticles raise an immune response directed against a virus (e.g., SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV), SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV, and the like). In certain embodiments the immunogenic nanoparticles comprise a nanoparticle formed from one or more biocompatible polymer(s), one or more viral proteins or fragments thereof encapsulated within or attached to the biocompatible polymer(s) where the viral protein or fragment thereof comprises an antigen to which an immune response is to be induced by administration of the immunogenic nanoparticle to a mammal and where the immunogenic nanoparticle further comprises an adjuvant (e.g., a STING agonist).

Provided is a recombinant polypeptide comprising a resistin trimerization domain and a polypeptide of interest. Further provided is an expression vector encoding the recombinant polypeptide and a method of expressing the recombinant polypeptide. The polypeptide of interest may be a trimeric viral surface antigen or a portion thereof, such as the ectodomain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Further provided are compositions, such as immunogenic compositions and vaccines, comprising the recombinant polypeptide.

Provided herein are recombinant polynucleotides including a first nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen, and a second nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme of an amino acid catabolic pathway. The provided recombinant polynucleotides are particularly useful for inducing long-lived immune responses having improved memory characteristics. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, viral particles, and host cells including the disclosed recombinant polynucleotides, and methods for using the disclosed materials.

The invention relates to immunogenic compositions and vaccines containing a coronavirus (e.g., Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV; also referred to as SARS-CoV-2)) protein or a polynucleotide encoding a coronavirus (e.g., Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV; SARS-CoV-2)) protein and uses thereof. The invention also provides methods of treating and/or preventing a coronavirus (e.g., Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV; SARS-CoV-2)) infection by administering an immunogenic composition or vaccine to a subject (e.g., a human). The invention also provides methods of detecting and/or monitoring a protective anti-coronavirus (e.g., Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV; SARS-CoV-2)) antibody response (e.g., anti-coronavirus antibody response, e.g., anti-2019-nCoV antibody response, e.g., anti-Spike antibody response, e.g., anti-Spike neutralizing antibody response). The present invention relates to isolated nucleic and/or recombinant nucleic acid encoding a coronavirus S protein, in particular a SARS-CoV-2 S protein, and to the coronavirus S proteins, as well as to the use of the nucleic acids and/or proteins thereof in vaccines.

An immunogenic CD40-targeted trimeric MERS-CoV S1 fusion polypeptide as well as a corresponding polynucleotide encoding it and its use for safely inducing immune responses directed against MERS-CoV without inducing vaccine associated respiratory pathologies associated with non-targeted vaccines.