Chang, Chi-ChiehChi-ChiehChangAlgaissi, AbdullahAbdullahAlgaissiLai, Chia-ChunChia-ChunLaiChang, Chun-KaiChun-KaiChangJR-SHIUAN LINWang, Yi-ShiangYi-ShiangWangChang, Bo-HauBo-HauChangChang, Yu-ChiuanYu-ChiuanChangChen, Wei-TingWei-TingChenFan, Yong-QingYong-QingFanPeng, Bi-HungBi-HungPengCHIH-YU CHAOSHIOU-RU TZENGPI-HUI LIANGSung, Wang-ChouWang-ChouSungHu, Alan Yung-ChihAlan Yung-ChihHuChang, Shin CShin CChangMING-FU CHANG2023-07-052023-07-052023-05-160264410Xhttps://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/633398Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreaks have constituted a public health issue with drastic mortality higher than 34%, necessitating the development of an effective vaccine. During MERS-CoV infection, the trimeric spike protein on the viral envelope is primarily responsible for attachment to host cellular receptor, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4). With the goal of generating a protein-based prophylactic, we designed a subunit vaccine comprising the recombinant S1 protein with a trimerization motif (S1-Fd) and examined its immunogenicity and protective immune responses in combination with various adjuvants. We found that sera from immunized wild-type and human DPP4 transgenic mice contained S1-specific antibodies that can neutralize MERS-CoV infection in susceptible cells. Vaccination with S1-Fd protein in combination with a saponin-based QS-21 adjuvant provided long-term humoral as well as cellular immunity in mice. Our findings highlight the significance of the trimeric S1 protein in the development of MERS-CoV vaccines and offer a suitable adjuvant, QS-21, to induce robust and prolonged memory T cell response.enAdjuvant effects; Cellular immunity; MERS-CoV neutralization; Subunit vaccine development[SDGs]SDG3journal article10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.04.006370854502-s2.0-85153030696https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85153030696