Design of mRNA vaccines delivered via novel lipid nanoparticles

ACS Nano 2020

Elia U, Ramishetti S, Rosenfeld R, Dammes N, Bar-Haim E, Somu Naidu G, Makdasi E, Yahalom-Ronen Y, Tamir H, Paran N, Cohen O, Peer D

RNA vaccines are composed of mRNA, which encodes a disease-specific antigen, encapsulated in nanoparticles. When administrated to host cells, the RNA is translated into protein antigens that are recognized by the immune system and start a protective immune (cellular and humoral) response.

In this study, we present the design of mRNA vaccine based on Lipid Nano Particles (LNPs)- encapsulated mRNA encoded for SARS-CoV-2 human Fc-conjugated receptor domain. Intramuscular injection elicits a robust humoral response, a high level of neutralizing antibodies, and a TH1-biased cellular response in BALBc mice. The data demonstrated the potential of our lipids as promising candidates for LNPs-based, RNA vaccines in general and for COVID-19 in particular.