人乳头瘤病毒16型表位嵌合病毒样颗粒的构建及免疫原性研究

目的 制备E7_49-57表位嵌合病毒样颗粒,并进行免疫原性分析。方法 利用分子模拟软件Discovery Studio预测HPV16 L1的E7_49-57最佳嵌合位点,将E7_49-57表位嵌入预测位点。构建pET28a-16L1-E7_49-57重组质粒,于大肠杆菌中诱导表达HPV16L1-E7_49-57蛋白并利用镍柱进行亲和层析纯化。于体外重组VLPs后,进行动态光散射粒径和透射电镜分析。用E7_49-57嵌合VLPs免疫小鼠,假病毒中和试验检测免疫血清中和抗体滴度。流式多因子法检测Th1和Th2型细胞因子水平。结果 HI loop区355/356为最佳表位嵌合位点。正确表达了HPV16 L1-E7_49-57蛋白并组装E7_49-57嵌合VLPs。E7_49-57嵌合VLPs免疫小鼠3次后,小鼠血清中和抗体滴度log10平均值达到4.23,略低于野生型VLPs(log10平均值为4.45)。但是,相对于野生型VLPs,E7_49-57嵌合VLPs诱导产生Th1型细胞因子(INF-γ, IL-2, TNF-α)的水平显著提高。结论 本研究制备的E7_49-57嵌合VLPs 能刺激机体同时产生较强的体液和细胞免疫应答,可能兼具预防和治疗双重功效,为宫颈癌治疗性疫苗的研制奠定基础。     

HPV16 L1在整合型重组毕赤酵母中的表达及病毒样颗粒的纯化

目的 构建可稳定表达HPV16 L1的整合型重组毕赤酵母,并纯化自主组装成的HPV16 L1病毒样颗粒（VLPs）.方法 根据酵母密码子偏爱性优化HPV16 L1基因并克隆到pPIC3.5K表达载体,构建pPIC3.5K/HPV16 L1重组质粒;重组质粒经Bgl Ⅱ酶切线性化后,电转化至GS115菌株中,筛选HPV16 L1重组毕赤酵母.阳性整合菌株甲醇诱导后,以HPV16 L1单克隆抗体检测目的蛋白表达;采用肝素亲和层析法纯化HPV16 L1VLPs并进行透射电镜观察.结果 PCR、酶切和测序分析表明成功构建了pPIC3.5K/HPV16 L1重组质粒.成功构建的HPV16 L1重组毕赤酵母甲醇诱导后,Western blot证实重组酵母菌裂解产物存在HPV16 L1目的蛋白.肝素亲和纯化后,透射电镜观察到了直径大约55 nm的VLPs,其形态与HPV16天然病毒颗粒相似.结论 利用整合型重组毕赤酵母表达系统成功表达了HPV16L1蛋白,并用肝素亲和纯化可快速获得结构完整的HPV16 L1VLPs,为HPV16预防性疫苗的研制奠定基础.     

家蝇抗菌肽MAF-1A的串联表达与抗白念珠菌体外活性检测

目的 构建家蝇抗菌肽MAF-1A基因原核串联表达体系,在大肠杆菌中表达具有抗菌活性的MAF-1A。方法 根据大肠杆菌密码子的偏嗜性进行密码子优化,设计并合成含有5个拷贝的MAF-1A串联基因序列;将合成的串联基因序列克隆到表达载体pET28a并转化大肠杆菌Roseeta(DE3),应用IPTG诱导表达5×MAF-1A串联重组蛋白;通过SDS-PAGE电泳、Western Blot对表达产物进行分析;用肠激酶专一性切割经Ni-NTA纯化后的5×MAF-1A重组串联蛋白,得到MAF-1A单体;采用微量稀释法检测MAF-1A单体对白念珠菌的体外抗菌活性。结果 5×MAF-1A蛋白在大肠杆菌中呈可溶性表达,28 ℃、0.8 mmol/L IPTG诱导12 h可达最大表达量;酶切后的抗菌肽MAF-1A单体对白念珠菌的MIC和MBC分别为0.5 mg/mL、1.0 mg/mL。结论 成功构建MAF-1A原核串联表达系统,重组表达的MAF-1A对白念珠菌具有较高的抑杀活性。     

寨卡病毒E蛋白及第三结构域的原核表达和多克隆抗体制备

目的 在大肠杆菌中克隆表达和纯化寨卡病毒(Zika Virus,ZIKV)包膜糖蛋白(Envelope Protein,E)及第三结构域(Envelope DomainⅢ,EDⅢ),并制备两种免疫原的鼠多克隆抗体。方法 通过Vero-E6细胞培养扩增ZIKV,提取病毒总RNA并反转录为cDNA,利用E和EDⅢ基因的cDNA序列构建原核表达载体pET32a/E和pET28a/EDⅢ,转入E.coli BL21(DE3),IPTG诱导表达,采用Ni⁺柱亲和层析法纯化蛋白。以纯化的重组蛋白为抗原免疫BALB/c小鼠,采集抗血清,间接ELISA法测定效价,Western Blot检测特异性。结果 成功表达并纯化重组蛋白E和EDⅢ,获得的多克隆抗体效价均达到1:409 600,Western Blot检测多克隆抗体可特异性识别重组E蛋白和EDⅢ以及天然E蛋白。结论 成功制备出特异性抗寨卡病毒E蛋白和EDⅢ的鼠源多克隆抗体,为深入探索寨卡病毒致病机制、检测方法和免疫策略奠定了研究基础。     

寨卡病毒NS1蛋白的原核表达和单克隆抗体的制备

目的 高效表达和纯化重组的寨卡病毒NS1蛋白,制备抗NS1蛋白的单克隆抗体。方法 构建含有寨卡病毒NS1基因的原核表达质粒,利用大肠杆菌大量表达重组NS1蛋白,纯化蛋白后免疫小鼠并进行细胞融合,筛选制备高纯度的单克隆抗体。结果 在大肠杆菌中高效表达了重组NS1蛋白,重组NS1蛋白具有良好的免疫原性,筛选出3株分泌针对寨卡病毒NS1蛋白单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株,分别命名为6B8、7D11和3E2,纯化的单克隆抗体与重组NS1蛋白有良好的特异性反应。结论 利用重组NS1蛋白免疫制备了抗NS1的单克隆抗体,为后续建立针对NS1蛋白的ELISA检测方法及相关研究提供了基础。     

结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白MPT64单克隆抗体的制备及其特异性

目的 制备结核分枝杆菌(Mycobacterium tuberculosis,Mtb)分泌蛋白MPT64的单克隆抗体(Monoclonal antibody,mAb),并分析mAb的特异性。方法 PCR扩增mpt64基因并克隆入pET28a(+)构建原核表达载体;将获得的重组菌株在IPTG作用下诱导表达MPT64蛋白,Western blot验证蛋白表达;亲和层析法纯化目的蛋白。重组MPT64蛋白免疫小鼠,取脾细胞与杂交瘤细胞SP2/0融合,筛选得到阳性杂交瘤细胞系。以该杂交瘤细胞制备小鼠腹水,中压液相色谱仪纯化腹水获得mAb。ELISA法检测获得的mAb的相对亲和力和亚类,Western blot检测mAb的特异性。结果 本研究成功构建原核表达载体pET28a(+)-mpt64并诱导表达了MPT64蛋白。亲和层析法获得纯化的重组MPT64蛋白。该重组蛋白免疫小鼠的脾细胞和SP2/0细胞融合后,经筛选获得能够稳定分泌抗MPT64 mAb的杂交瘤细胞系MPT64-A5B2。中压液相色谱仪纯化小鼠腹水中的MPT64-A5B2 mAb。该mAb的亲和力为2.813×10^-7 g/mL,属于IgG 1亚类。MPT64-A5B2 mAb能特异性识别Mtb中的MPT64蛋白。结论 本研究制备了MPT64重组蛋白,并获得了抗MPT64 mAb,为MPT64用于结核病诊断和治疗制剂的研制奠定了基础。     

人细小病毒B19非结构基因ns1和7.5ku蛋白基因的克隆与表达

目的通过分子克隆技术,构建人细小病毒B19非结构基因ns1和7.5kugene的原核表达载体,并诱导重组NS1和7.5ku融合蛋白的表达,为蛋白的纯化奠定基础。方法以含有B19病毒全基因组感染性克隆为模板,用PCR法扩增目的基因ns1和7.5kugene,以pET-28a为表达载体,构建重组表达质粒pET28a-ns1和pET28a-7.5ku,转化E.coliBL21(DE3),获得重组工程菌株。经IPTG诱导培养6h后,通过SDS-PAGE、Western blot鉴定表达产物。结果成功构建了pET28a-ns1和pET28a-7.5ku,IPTG诱导能获得较高的目的蛋白。结论人细小病毒B19的非结构基因能在大肠埃希菌中获得成功的表达,为蛋白的纯化和抗体制备奠定基础。     

细粒棘球绦虫EgM123蛋白融合霍乱毒素B亚单位疫苗的构建表达及免疫原性研究

目的 构建和表达细粒棘球绦虫成虫特异表达EgM123基因与霍乱毒素B的融合蛋白(CTB-EgM123);并确定CTB-EgM123蛋白的抗原性。方法 将合成EgM123基因序列连接到pET28a/CTB原核表达载体中,并转化至大肠杆菌BL21中。利用IPTG诱导目的基因的表达;用SDS-PAGE及Western-Blotting对表达蛋白进行分析和鉴定;用纯化蛋白免疫小鼠及犬,用ELISA方法对小鼠及犬的血清抗体效价和肠黏液的抗体亚类进行分析。结果 PCR和测序确定CTB-EgM123基因片段长度为804 bp,pET28a/CTB-EgM123原核表达阅读框序列正确。在37 ℃条件下,经IPTG 0.4 mmol/L诱导5 h,获得CTB-EgM123高表达的包涵体蛋白,分子质量为37 kDa。免疫小鼠结果表明复性CTB-EgM123蛋白具较好免疫原性,抗体效价> 320 000;以IgG2a为主。检测免疫犬血清效价,结果发现用融合蛋白免疫后的犬血清抗体效价> 64 000,效价高于EgM123免疫组(t=0.0064,P< 0.05);且在4周时,抗体呈上升趋势,并能较长时间维持抗体水平。结论 原核表达载体pET28a/CTB-EgM123在大肠杆菌中成功表达,纯化蛋白接种小鼠和犬表明具有高的抗原性。表明CTB可以增强蛋白的免疫原性,并刺激小鼠和犬体内产生高水平的体液和黏膜免疫。本研究为研发犬用包虫病疫苗奠定了基础。     

2型猪链球菌低分子量酪氨酸磷酸酶的制备及酶学研究

目的 表达纯化2型猪链球菌(Streptococcus suis 2,SS2)低分子量酪氨酸磷酸酶(Low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase,LMW-PTP),测定LMW-PTP磷酸酶活性并鉴定其酶活性位点,为后续的功能鉴定奠定基础。方法 分别构建野生型LMW-PTP基因表达质粒pET28a:LMW-PTP、突变型LMW-PTP基因表达质粒pET28a:LMW-PTPC33A和pET28a:LMW-PTPR39A,重组质粒转化E.coil BL21(DE3),筛选阳性转化子,通过IPTG诱导表达后经SDS-PAGE鉴定表达产物。镍柱亲和层析纯化得到重组蛋白经Western blot鉴定,野生型LMW-PTP免疫新西兰兔制备兔多克隆抗体。以对硝基苯酚二钠六水(PNPP-Na)为底物检测重组蛋白的磷酸酶活性。结果 成功构建野生型LMW-PTP基因表达质粒pET28a:LMW-PTP、突变型LMW-PTP基因表达质粒pET28a:LMW-PTPC33A、pET28a:LMW-PTPR39A,在大肠杆菌中野生型和突变型LMW-PTP均以包涵体的形式存在,相对分子量为23 kDa,包涵体经镍柱纯化及透析复性获得纯度较高的野生型和突变型LMW-PTP。制备得到的抗LMW-PTP的兔多克隆抗体的效价为1∶102 400,且重组蛋白均能与His-Tag单抗和兔多抗血清发生反应。对野生型蛋白进行磷酸酶活性检测显示其具有酶活性,酶活为2.1 nmol/(min·μg),突变型LMW-PTPC33A、LMW-PTPR39A无磷酸酶活性。结论 成功表达了具有磷酸酶活性的LMW-PTP,并鉴定出Cys³³和Arg³⁹是LMW-PTP的活性位点。为后续寻找LMW-PTP在2型猪链球菌致病过程中毒力相关的靶蛋白奠定了基础。     

黄热病毒NS1蛋白的制备及免疫原性鉴定

目的 原核系统克隆表达黄热病毒(yellow fever virus, YFV)非结构蛋白1(nonstructural protein 1,NS1),鉴定其免疫原性。方法 以YFV-17D疫苗株为模板,常规分子生物学方法构建pQE30-YFV NS1表达载体,原核表达纯化YFVNS1重组蛋白;免疫印记、免疫荧光和酶联免疫吸附实验验证其免疫原性。结果 成功构建重组质粒pQE30-YFV NS1,制备纯化可溶性YFV NS1蛋白;该重组YFV NS1蛋白与登革病毒、黄热病毒、乙脑病毒、西尼罗河病毒免疫小鼠腹水及寨卡病毒NS1、YFV NS1蛋白免疫小鼠血清均发生反应,重组YFV NS1蛋白免疫小鼠血清与YFV感染细胞超声上清也发生反应。结论 获得高纯度YFV NS1重组蛋白,且具有较好的免疫原性,含天然NS1蛋白表位,为基于NS1黄热病毒早期抗原诊断方法和蛋白功能研究奠定基础。     

Neutralization of human papillomavirus type 11 (HPV-11) by serum from women vaccinated with yeast-derived HPV-11 L1 virus-like particles: correlation with competitive radioimmunoassay titer

Neutralization of human papillomavirus type 11 (HPV-11) has been demonstrated using serum and cervical secretions from primates vaccinated with virus-like particles (VLPs). Theoretically, neutralizing antibodies could protect women from HPV infection. The immunogenicity of a yeast-derived HPV-11 L1 VLP vaccine was tested in women. Serum specimens were evaluated for HPV-11 titer by competitive radioimmunoassay (cRIA) and for neutralization by use of the athymic mouse xenograft system. Analysis of serum from 104 subjects showed a dose response in HPV-11 cRIA titers and neutralization. Overall, 68 (82.9%) of 82 postimmunization serum specimens from VLP recipients were 100% neutralizing when used in the assay at a 1:50 dilution. Of 69 serum specimens, 63 (91.3%) with cRIA titers >200 milliMerck units per milliliter were neutralizing. Immunization with HPV VLPs elicits a vigorous serum immune response in a high percentage of women. The HPV-11 cRIA titer appears to be a surrogate marker for neutralization.     

昆虫细胞偏爱密码子优化的HPV16L1基因在昆虫和哺乳动物细胞中的表达

目的获得有效表达人乳头瘤病毒16型（HPV16）L1基因的重组杆状病毒和腺病毒，为研究HPV的免疫保护机制提供材料。方法按照昆虫细胞密码子偏爱优化并合成HPV16LI基因，利用Bac—to-Bac昆虫表达系统获得表达HPV16L1基因的重组杆状病毒，利用AdEasy腺病毒载体系统获得表达HPV16L1基因的重组腺病毒载体。通过间接免疫荧光和Westernblot对HPV16L1基因表达进行鉴定，利用负染电子显微镜观察病毒样颗粒（VLP）的形成。结果获得了稳定表达HPV16L1蛋白的重组杆状病毒和重组腺病毒载体，在Sf9细胞和293细胞中可有效表达能被抗HPV16L1单克隆抗体识别的L1蛋白，分子质量单位为56ku，在Sf9细胞中可观察到VLP的形成。结论按照昆虫细胞密码子偏爱进行优化的HPV16L1基因，在昆虫细胞和哺乳动物细胞内均可有效表达。     

人乳头瘤病毒16型晚期基因L1的原核表达质粒的构建和鉴定

目的 构建人类乳头瘤病毒（ＨＰＶ）１６型晚期基因Ｌ１的原核表达质粒,以期从中选出能够高效表达ＨＰＶ１６Ｌ１的重组子,为进一步表达Ｌ１蛋白奠定基础。方法 应用定向克隆策略,将ＨＰＶ１６Ｌ１基因分别克隆到原核表达载体ｐＴｒａｃ９９Ａ和ｐＥＴ－２１ｃ中。结果 通过酶切鉴定选出了重组子ｐＴｒｃ９９Ａ－ＨＰＶ１６Ｌ１和ｐＥＴ－２１ｃ－ＨＰＶ１６Ｌ１。结论 ＨＰＶ１６Ｌ１的原核表达质粒构建成功。     

Developing Pseudovirus-Based Neutralization Assay against Omicron-Included SARS-CoV-2 Variants

The global spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants poses a serious threat to human health worldwide. Recently, the emergence of Omicron has presented a new challenge to the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic. A convenient and reliable in vitro neutralization assay is an important method for validating the efficiency of antibodies, vaccines, and other potential drugs. Here, we established an effective assay based on a pseudovirus carrying a full-length spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants in the HIV-1 backbone, with a luciferase reporter gene inserted into the non-replicate pseudovirus genome. The key parameters for packaging the pseudovirus were optimized, including the ratio of the S protein expression plasmids to the HIV backbone plasmids and the collection time for the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Kappa, and Omicron pseudovirus particles. The pseudovirus neutralization assay was validated using several approved or developed monoclonal antibodies, underscoring that Omicron can escape some neutralizing antibodies, such as REGN10987 and REGN10933, while S309 and ADG-2 still function with reduced neutralization capability. The neutralizing capacity of convalescent plasma from COVID-19 convalescent patients in Wuhan was tested against these pseudoviruses, revealing the immune evasion of Omicron. Our work established a practical pseudovirus-based neutralization assay for SARS-CoV-2 variants, which can be conducted safely under biosafety level-2 (BSL-2) conditions, and this assay will be a promising tool for studying and characterizing vaccines and therapeutic candidates against Omicron-included SARS-CoV-2 variants.     

Cellular immune responses to human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 L1 in healthy volunteers immunized with recombinant HPV-16 L1 virus-like particles

The causal association between papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer has been demonstrated; the development of a prophylactic vaccine to protect against HPV infection may therefore reduce the incidence of this cancer worldwide. Noninfectious HPV-like particles (VLPs), composed of the L1 major capsid protein, are current candidate vaccines for prevention of HPV infection and cervical neoplasia. Although neutralizing antibodies have a pivotal role in the prevention of initial infection, cellular immune responses to HPV antigens may have an important role in viral clearance. A phase II trial was conducted to further evaluate the immunogenicity of a recombinant HPV-16 L1 VLP vaccine administered intramuscularly, without adjuvant, at 0, 1, and 6 months. Cell-mediated immune responses (lymphoproliferation and cytokine production) to HPV-16 L1 VLPs were evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 43 individuals receiving the L1 VLP vaccine and from 10 individuals receiving placebo. Vaccination resulted, at months 2 and 7 (i.e., 1 month after the second immunization and 1 month after third immunization, respectively), in increases in T cell-proliferative response to HPV-16 L1 VLPs (P<.001). In addition, significant increases in cytokine (interferon-gamma, interleukin [IL]-5 and IL-10) responses to L1 VLPs were observed after vaccination (P<.001). The strongest cytokine responses at month 7 were observed in individuals with high antibody titers at month 2, suggesting that neutralizing antibodies generated by initial vaccination may augment T cell responses to subsequent booster vaccinations. No significant increases in lymphoproliferative or cytokine responses to L1 VLPs were observed in individuals receiving placebo. In summary, the HPV-16 L1 vaccine induces not only robust B cell responses but also L1-specific T cell responses detectable by proliferation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and in vitro production of both Th1- and Th2-type cytokines. Future efficacy studies are needed to evaluate whether and/or how VLP vaccines confer protection against genital HPV infection and associated disease.     

Characterization of Humoral Responses Induced by an H7N9 Influenza Virus-Like Particle Vaccine in BALB/C Mice

In April 2013, human infections with a novel avian influenza (H7N9) virus emerged in China. It has caused serious concerns for public health throughout the world. However, there is presently no effective treatment, and an A (H7N9) H7 subtype influenza vaccine is not available. Vaccination with virus-like particles (VLPs) has showed considerable promise for many other subtype influenza viruses. To produce H7N9 VLPs, full length, unmodified hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), and matrix1 (M1) genes from the A/Wuxi/1/2013(H7N9) were cloned into a pCDNA5.1 FRT vector. By co-transfection, VLPs containing HA, NA, and M1 were secreted by 293T cells. VLPs were purified by ultracentrifugation and injected into mice by the intramuscular route. In animal experiments, humoral and cellular immunoresponse were all triggered by H7N9 VLPs. High levels of specific antibodies and the isotypes of IgG were detected by ELISA. Anamnestic cellular immune responses were examined by detecting specific cytotoxic T cell for IFN-γ production in ELISPOT assay. The hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) against the homologous virus was more than 1:64, and cross-reactive HAI titers against the heterologous virus (H1N1 and H3N2) were more than 1:16. Moreover, VLPs immunized mice showed a rapid increase of neutralizing antibodies, with neutralizing antibody titers more than 1:8, which increased four-fold against PBS immunized mice in week four. By week six, the mice had high neutralization ability against the given strain and held a potent homologous virus neutralizing capacity. Thus, VLPs represent a potential strategy for the development of a safe and effective vaccine against novel avian influenza (H7N9) virus.     

Investigation of Avian Influenza H5N6 Virus-like Particles as a Broad-Spectrum Vaccine Candidate against H5Nx Viruses

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) clade 2.3.4.4 viruses have been reported to be the source of infections in several outbreaks in the past decades. In a previous study, we screened out a broad-spectrum virus strain, H5N6-Sichuan subtype, by using a lentiviral pseudovirus system. In this project, we aimed to investigate the potential of H5N6 virus-like particles (VLPs) serving as a broad-spectrum vaccine candidate against H5Nx viruses. We cloned the full-length M1 gene and H5, N6 genes derived from the H5N6-Sichuan into pFASTBac vector and generated the VLPs using the baculovirus-insect cell system. H5N6 VLPs were purified by sucrose gradient centrifugation, and the presence of H5, N6 and M1 proteins was verified by Western blot and SDS-PAGE. The hemagglutination titer of H5N6 VLPs after purification reached 5120 and the particle structure remained as viewed by electron microscopy. The H5N6 VLPs and 293T mammalian cell-expressed H5+N6 proteins were sent for mice immunization. Antisera against the H5+N6 protein showed 80 to 320 neutralizing antibody titers to various H5Nx pseudoviruses. In contrast, H5N6 VLPs not only elicited higher neutralizing antibody titers, ranging from 640 to 1280, but also induced higher IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ and TNF production, thus indicating that H5N6 VLPs may be a potential vaccine candidate for broad-spectrum H5Nx avian influenza vaccines.     

SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Displays Moderate Resistance to Neutralizing Antibodies and Spike Protein Properties of Higher Soluble ACE2 Sensitivity,Enhanced Cleavage and Fusogenic Activity

The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 lineage variants, Kappa (B.1.617.1) and Delta (B.1.617.2, AY) emerged during the second wave of infections in India, but the Delta variants have become dominant worldwide and continue to evolve. Here, we compared B.1.617 variants for neutralization resistance by convalescent sera, mRNA vaccine-elicited sera, and therapeutic neutralizing antibodies using a pseudovirus neutralization assay. B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2, and AY.1 pseudoviruses showed a modest 1.5- to 4.4-fold reduction in neutralization by convalescent sera and vaccine-elicited sera. In comparison, similar modest reductions were also observed for C.37, P.1, R.1, and B.1.526 pseudoviruses, but 7- and 16-fold reductions for vaccine-elicited and convalescent sera, respectively, were seen for B.1.351 pseudoviruses. Among twenty-three therapeutic antibodies tested, four antibodies showed either complete or partial loss of neutralization against B.1.617.2 pseudoviruses and six antibodies showed either complete or partial loss of neutralization against B.1.617.1 and AY.1 pseudoviruses. Our results indicate that the current mRNA-based vaccines will likely remain effective in protecting against B.1.617 variants. Finally, the P681R substitution confers efficient cleavage of B.1.617 variants’ spike proteins and the spike of Delta variants exhibited greater sensitivity to soluble ACE2 neutralization, as well as fusogenic activity, which may contribute to enhanced spread of Delta variants.