Biomaterials and oxygen join forces to shape the immune response and boost SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to an unprecedented global health crisis, resulting in a critical need for effective vaccines that generate protective antibodies. Protein subunit vaccines represent a promising approach but often lack the immunogenicity required for strong immune stimulation. To overcome this challenge, we first demonstrate that advanced biomaterials boost effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 protein subunit vaccines. Additionally, we report that oxygen is a powerful immunological co-adjuvant, a game-changer in the field for unlocking the full potential of vaccines. Mice immunized with oxygen-generating cryogel vaccines exhibited a robust and balanced Th1 and Th2 immune response, leading to sustained and high titer production of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Our data indicate that this platform is a revolutionary technology with the potential to reinforce any vaccine.