Post Challenge Effects of Ozg-38.61.3 Gamma Irradiated SARSCoV- 2 Vaccine on Organ Protection in Transgenic Mouse Model

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious outbreak caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) and virus-related deaths are increasing day by day. For this reason, vaccine studies and their urgent use are of great importance to prevent the pandemic. In this study, multi-organ damages caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus in human- angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2) transgenic mice and the protective effects of OZG-38.61.3 gamma irradiated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine against viral damage were investigated. Methods: For this purpose, transgenic K18-hACE2 BALB/c mice were randomly allocated into 4 groups, negative control group (NC), positive control group (PC, SARS-CoV-2 infected), and 2 different doses of OZG-38.61.3 vaccine (Challenge 1, dose of 10 13 and Ch2, 10 14 viral particle after SARS-CoV-2 infection). After the administrations, lung, heart and kidney tissues were examined by histopathological, immunohistochemical and TUNEL analysis. Results: Our results showed that the vaccine doses decreased the apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation parameters caused by virus in lung, heart, and kidney tissues. It was also found that the vaccine protected the expressions of tight junction proteins in the kidneys. Conclusion: According to our findings, it is suggested that the OZG-38.61.3 can be an effective and protective vaccine that can be safely used against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.