1
|
Bathula NV, Friesen JJ, Casmil IC, Wayne CJ, Liao S, Soriano SKV, Ho CH, Strumpel A, Blakney AK. Delivery vehicle and route of administration influences self-amplifying RNA biodistribution, expression kinetics, and reactogenicity. J Control Release 2024; 374:28-38. [PMID: 39097193 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.07.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) is a next-generation RNA platform derived from an alphavirus that enables replication in host cytosol, offering a promising shift from traditional messenger RNA (mRNA) therapies by enabling sustained protein production from minimal dosages. The approval of saRNA-based vaccines, such as the ARCT-154 for COVID-19 in Japan, underscores its potential for diverse therapeutic applications, including vaccine development, cancer immunotherapy, and gene therapy. This study investigates the role of delivery vehicle and administration route on saRNA expression kinetics and reactogenicity. Employing ionizable lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) and polymeric nanoparticles, we administered saRNA encoding firefly luciferase to BALB/c mice through six routes (intramuscular (IM), intradermal (ID), intraperitoneal (IP), intranasal (IN), intravenous (IV), and subcutaneous (SC)), and observed persistent saRNA expression over a month. Our findings reveal that while LNPs enable broad route applicability and stability, pABOL (poly (cystamine bisacrylamide-co-4-amino-1-butanol)) formulations significantly amplify protein expression via intramuscular delivery. Notably, the disparity between RNA biodistribution and protein expression highlight the nuanced interplay between administration routes, delivery vehicles, and therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, our research unveiled distinct biodistribution profiles and inflammatory responses contingent upon the chosen delivery formulation and route. This research illuminates the intricate dynamics governing saRNA delivery, biodistribution and reactogenicity, offering essential insights for optimizing therapeutic strategies and advancing the clinical and commercial viability of saRNA technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nuthan Vikas Bathula
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Josh J Friesen
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Irafasha C Casmil
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Christopher J Wayne
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Suiyang Liao
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 2A1, Canada
| | - Shekinah K V Soriano
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Chia Hao Ho
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Anneke Strumpel
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z3, Canada; RWTH Aachen University, Templergraben 55, Aachen 52062, Germany
| | - Anna K Blakney
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Warner NL, Archer J, Park S, Singh G, McFadden KM, Kimura T, Nicholes K, Simpson A, Kaelber JT, Hawman DW, Feldmann H, Khandhar AP, Berglund P, Vogt MR, Erasmus JH. A self-amplifying RNA vaccine prevents enterovirus D68 infection and disease in preclinical models. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadi1625. [PMID: 39110777 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi1625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
The recent emergence and rapid response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was enabled by prototype pathogen and vaccine platform approaches, driven by the preemptive application of RNA vaccine technology to the related Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Recently, the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases identified nine virus families of concern, eight enveloped virus families and one nonenveloped virus family, for which vaccine generation is a priority. Although RNA vaccines have been described for a variety of enveloped viruses, a roadmap for their use against nonenveloped viruses is lacking. Enterovirus D68 was recently designated a prototype pathogen within the family Picornaviridae of nonenveloped viruses because of its rapid evolution and respiratory route of transmission, coupled with a lack of diverse anti-enterovirus vaccine approaches in development. Here, we describe a proof-of-concept approach using a clinical stage RNA vaccine platform that induced robust enterovirus D68-neutralizing antibody responses in mice and nonhuman primates and prevented upper and lower respiratory tract infections and neurological disease in mice. In addition, we used our platform to rapidly characterize the antigenic diversity within the six genotypes of enterovirus D68, providing the necessary data to inform multivalent vaccine compositions that can elicit optimal breadth of neutralizing responses. These results demonstrate that RNA vaccines can be used as tools in our pandemic-preparedness toolbox for nonenveloped viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Garima Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kathryn M McFadden
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jason T Kaelber
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - David W Hawman
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, NIAID, NIH, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Heinz Feldmann
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, NIAID, NIH, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | | | | | - Matthew R Vogt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Casmil IC, Blakney AK. Can self-amplifying RNA vaccines and viruses exchange genetic material? Mol Ther 2024; 32:2437-2438. [PMID: 39032486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Irafasha C Casmil
- Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anna K Blakney
- Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
O’Donnell KL, Henderson CW, Anhalt H, Fusco J, Erasmus JH, Lambe T, Marzi A. Vaccine Platform Comparison: Protective Efficacy against Lethal Marburg Virus Challenge in the Hamster Model. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8516. [PMID: 39126087 PMCID: PMC11313278 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Marburg virus (MARV), a filovirus, was first identified in 1967 in Marburg, Germany, and Belgrade, former Yugoslavia. Since then, MARV has caused sporadic outbreaks of human disease with high case fatality rates in parts of Africa, with the largest outbreak occurring in 2004/05 in Angola. From 2021 to 2023, MARV outbreaks occurred in Guinea, Ghana, New Guinea, and Tanzania, emphasizing the expansion of its endemic area into new geographical regions. There are currently no approved vaccines or therapeutics targeting MARV, but several vaccine candidates have shown promise in preclinical studies. We compared three vaccine platforms simultaneously by vaccinating hamsters with either a single dose of an adenovirus-based (ChAdOx-1 MARV) vaccine, an alphavirus replicon-based RNA (LION-MARV) vaccine, or a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus-based (VSV-MARV) vaccine, all expressing the MARV glycoprotein as the antigen. Lethal challenge with hamster-adapted MARV 4 weeks after vaccination resulted in uniform protection of the VSV-MARV and LION-MARV groups and 83% of the ChAdOx-1 MARV group. Assessment of the antigen-specific humoral response and its functionality revealed vaccine-platform-dependent differences, particularly in the Fc effector functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle L. O’Donnell
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Corey W. Henderson
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Hanna Anhalt
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Joan Fusco
- Public Health Vaccines Inc., Cambridge, MA 02412, USA
| | | | - Teresa Lambe
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Andrea Marzi
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jartti M, Flodström-Tullberg M, Hankaniemi MM. Enteroviruses: epidemic potential, challenges and opportunities with vaccines. J Biomed Sci 2024; 31:73. [PMID: 39010093 PMCID: PMC11247760 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-01058-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Enteroviruses (EVs) are the most prevalent viruses in humans. EVs can cause a range of acute symptoms, from mild common colds to severe systemic infections such as meningitis, myocarditis, and flaccid paralysis. They can also lead to chronic diseases such as cardiomyopathy. Although more than 280 human EV serotypes exist, only four serotypes have licenced vaccines. No antiviral drugs are available to treat EV infections, and global surveillance of EVs has not been effectively coordinated. Therefore, poliovirus still circulates, and there have been alarming epidemics of non-polio enteroviruses. Thus, there is a pressing need for coordinated preparedness efforts against EVs.This review provides a perspective on recent enterovirus outbreaks and global poliovirus eradication efforts with continuous vaccine development initiatives. It also provides insights into the challenges and opportunities in EV vaccine development. Given that traditional whole-virus vaccine technologies are not suitable for many clinically relevant EVs and considering the ongoing risk of enterovirus outbreaks and the potential for new emerging pathogenic strains, the need for new effective and adaptable enterovirus vaccines is emphasized.This review also explores the difficulties in translating promising vaccine candidates for clinical use and summarizes information from published literature and clinical trial databases focusing on existing enterovirus vaccines, ongoing clinical trials, the obstacles faced in vaccine development as well as the emergence of new vaccine technologies. Overall, this review contributes to the understanding of enterovirus vaccines, their role in public health, and their significance as a tool for future preparedness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minne Jartti
- Virology and Vaccine Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Malin Flodström-Tullberg
- Department of Medicine Huddinge and Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Minna M Hankaniemi
- Virology and Vaccine Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
McGee JE, Kirsch JR, Kenney D, Cerbo F, Chavez EC, Shih TY, Douam F, Wong WW, Grinstaff MW. Complete substitution with modified nucleotides in self-amplifying RNA suppresses the interferon response and increases potency. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02306-z. [PMID: 38977924 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02306-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
The use of modified nucleotides to suppress the interferon response and maintain translation of self-amplifying RNA (saRNA), which has been achieved for mRNA, has not yet succeeded. We identify modified nucleotides that, when substituted at 100% in saRNA, confer innate immune evasion and robust long-term protein expression, and when formulated as a vaccine, protect against lethal SARS-CoV-2 challenge in mice. This discovery advances saRNA therapeutics by enabling prolonged protein expression at low doses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua E McGee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jack R Kirsch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Devin Kenney
- Department of Virology, Immunology and Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Faith Cerbo
- Department of Virology, Immunology and Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Chavez
- Department of Virology, Immunology and Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ting-Yu Shih
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Florian Douam
- Department of Virology, Immunology and Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Wilson W Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Mark W Grinstaff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Edwards KR, Malhi H, Schmidt K, Davis AR, Homad LJ, Warner NL, Chhan CB, Scharffenberger SC, Gaffney K, Hinkley T, Potchen NB, Wang JY, Price J, McElrath MJ, Olson J, King NP, Lund JM, Moodie Z, Erasmus JH, McGuire AT. A gH/gL-encoding replicon vaccine elicits neutralizing antibodies that protect humanized mice against EBV challenge. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:120. [PMID: 38926438 PMCID: PMC11208421 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00907-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with several malignancies, neurodegenerative disorders and is the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis. A vaccine that prevents EBV-driven morbidity and mortality remains an unmet need. EBV is orally transmitted, infecting both B cells and epithelial cells. Several virally encoded proteins are involved in entry. The gH/gL glycoprotein complex is essential for infectivity irrespective of cell type, while gp42 is essential for infection of B cells. gp350 promotes viral attachment by binding to CD21 or CD35 and is the most abundant glycoprotein on the virion. gH/gL, gp42 and gp350, are known targets of neutralizing antibodies and therefore relevant immunogens for vaccine development. Here, we developed and optimized the delivery of several alphavirus-derived replicon RNA (repRNA) vaccine candidates encoding gH/gL, gH/gL/gp42 or gp350 delivered by a cationic nanocarrier termed LION™. The lead candidate, encoding full-length gH/gL, elicited high titers of neutralizing antibodies that persisted for at least 8 months and a vaccine-specific CD8+ T cell response. Transfer of vaccine-elicited IgG protected humanized mice from EBV-driven tumor formation and death following high-dose viral challenge. These data demonstrate that LION/repRNA-gH/gL is an ideal candidate vaccine for preventing EBV infection and/or related malignancies in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina R Edwards
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Harman Malhi
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Karina Schmidt
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Amelia R Davis
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Leah J Homad
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Crystal B Chhan
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Samuel C Scharffenberger
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Nicole B Potchen
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jing Yang Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jason Price
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - M Juliana McElrath
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - James Olson
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Neil P King
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer M Lund
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Zoe Moodie
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Andrew T McGuire
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hawman DW, Leventhal SS, Meade-White K, Khandhar A, Murray J, Lovaglio J, Shaia C, Saturday G, Hinkley T, Erasmus J, Feldmann H. A replicating RNA vaccine confers protection in a rhesus macaque model of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:86. [PMID: 38769294 PMCID: PMC11106275 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00887-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne febrile illness with a wide geographic distribution. In recent years the geographic range of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and its tick vector have increased, placing an increasing number of people at risk of CCHFV infection. Currently, there are no widely available vaccines, and although the World Health Organization recommends ribavirin for treatment, its efficacy is unclear. Here we evaluate a promising replicating RNA vaccine in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) model of CCHF. This model provides an alternative to the established cynomolgus macaque model and recapitulates mild-to-moderate human disease. Rhesus macaques infected with CCHFV consistently exhibit viremia, detectable viral RNA in a multitude of tissues, and moderate pathology in the liver and spleen. We used this model to evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a replicating RNA vaccine. Rhesus macaques vaccinated with RNAs expressing the CCHFV nucleoprotein and glycoprotein precursor developed robust non-neutralizing humoral immunity against the CCHFV nucleoprotein and had significant protection against the CCHFV challenge. Together, our data report a model of CCHF using rhesus macaques and demonstrate that our replicating RNA vaccine is immunogenic and protective in non-human primates after a prime-boost immunization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David W Hawman
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA.
| | - Shanna S Leventhal
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Kimberly Meade-White
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | | | - Justin Murray
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Jamie Lovaglio
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Carl Shaia
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Greg Saturday
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | | | | | - Heinz Feldmann
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abbasi S, Matsui-Masai M, Yasui F, Hayashi A, Tockary TA, Mochida Y, Akinaga S, Kohara M, Kataoka K, Uchida S. Carrier-free mRNA vaccine induces robust immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in mice and non-human primates without systemic reactogenicity. Mol Ther 2024; 32:1266-1283. [PMID: 38569556 PMCID: PMC11081875 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Carrier-free naked mRNA vaccines may reduce the reactogenicity associated with delivery carriers; however, their effectiveness against infectious diseases has been suboptimal. To boost efficacy, we targeted the skin layer rich in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and utilized a jet injector. The jet injection efficiently introduced naked mRNA into skin cells, including APCs in mice. Further analyses indicated that APCs, after taking up antigen mRNA in the skin, migrated to the lymph nodes (LNs) for antigen presentation. Additionally, the jet injection provoked localized lymphocyte infiltration in the skin, serving as a physical adjuvant for vaccination. Without a delivery carrier, our approach confined mRNA distribution to the injection site, preventing systemic mRNA leakage and associated systemic proinflammatory reactions. In mouse vaccination, the naked mRNA jet injection elicited robust antigen-specific antibody production over 6 months, along with germinal center formation in LNs and the induction of both CD4- and CD8-positive T cells. By targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, this approach provided protection against viral challenge. Furthermore, our approach generated neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in non-human primates at levels comparable to those observed in mice. In conclusion, our approach offers a safe and effective option for mRNA vaccines targeting infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saed Abbasi
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Miki Matsui-Masai
- Department of Research, NANO MRNA Co., Ltd., 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Yasui
- Department of Diseases and Infection, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6, Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Akimasa Hayashi
- Department of Pathology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan
| | - Theofilus A Tockary
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Yuki Mochida
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan; Department of Advanced Nanomedical Engineering, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Shiro Akinaga
- Department of Research, NANO MRNA Co., Ltd., 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Michinori Kohara
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6, Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kataoka
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Uchida
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan; Department of Advanced Nanomedical Engineering, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
MacMillen Z, Hatzakis K, Simpson A, Shears MJ, Watson F, Erasmus JH, Khandhar AP, Wilder B, Murphy SC, Reed SG, Davie JW, Avril M. Accelerated prime-and-trap vaccine regimen in mice using repRNA-based CSP malaria vaccine. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:12. [PMID: 38200025 PMCID: PMC10781674 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00799-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, remains one of the most devastating infectious diseases worldwide, despite control efforts to lower morbidity and mortality. Both advanced candidate vaccines, RTS,S and R21, are subunit (SU) vaccines that target a single Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) pre-erythrocytic (PE) sporozoite (spz) surface protein known as circumsporozoite (CS). These vaccines induce humoral immunity but fail to elicit CD8 + T-cell responses sufficient for long-term protection. In contrast, whole-organism (WO) vaccines, such as Radiation Attenuated Sporozoites (RAS), achieved sterile protection but require a series of intravenous doses administered in multiple clinic visits. Moreover, these WO vaccines must be produced in mosquitos, a burdensome process that severely limits their availability. To reduce reliance on WO while maintaining protection via both antibodies and Trm responses, we have developed an accelerated vaccination regimen that combines two distinct agents in a prime-and-trap strategy. The priming dose is a single dose of self-replicating RNA encoding the full-length P. yoelii CS protein, delivered via an advanced cationic nanocarrier (LIONTM). The trapping dose consists of one dose of WO RAS. Our vaccine induces a strong immune response when administered in an accelerated regimen, i.e., either 5-day or same-day immunization. Additionally, mice after same-day immunization showed a 2-day delay of blood patency with 90% sterile protection against a 3-week spz challenge. The same-day regimen also induced durable 70% sterile protection against a 2-month spz challenge. Our approach presents a clear path to late-stage preclinical and clinical testing of dose-sparing, same-day regimens that can confer sterilizing protection against malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary MacMillen
- MalarVx, Inc 1551 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA
| | - Kiara Hatzakis
- MalarVx, Inc 1551 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA
| | - Adrian Simpson
- HDT Bio, 1150 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 200A, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Melanie J Shears
- University of Washington, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 750 Republican St., F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Felicia Watson
- University of Washington, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 750 Republican St., F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Jesse H Erasmus
- HDT Bio, 1150 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 200A, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Amit P Khandhar
- HDT Bio, 1150 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 200A, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Brandon Wilder
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Building 1, Room 2220, 505 NW 185th Ave, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Sean C Murphy
- University of Washington, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 750 Republican St., F870, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Steven G Reed
- HDT Bio, 1150 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 200A, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - James W Davie
- MalarVx, Inc 1551 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA
| | - Marion Avril
- MalarVx, Inc 1551 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mochida Y, Uchida S. mRNA vaccine designs for optimal adjuvanticity and delivery. RNA Biol 2024; 21:1-27. [PMID: 38528828 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2024.2333123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Adjuvanticity and delivery are crucial facets of mRNA vaccine design. In modern mRNA vaccines, adjuvant functions are integrated into mRNA vaccine nanoparticles, allowing the co-delivery of antigen mRNA and adjuvants in a unified, all-in-one formulation. In this formulation, many mRNA vaccines utilize the immunostimulating properties of mRNA and vaccine carrier components, including lipids and polymers, as adjuvants. However, careful design is necessary, as excessive adjuvanticity and activation of improper innate immune signalling can conversely hinder vaccination efficacy and trigger adverse effects. mRNA vaccines also require delivery systems to achieve antigen expression in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) within lymphoid organs. Some vaccines directly target APCs in the lymphoid organs, while others rely on APCs migration to the draining lymph nodes after taking up mRNA vaccines. This review explores the current mechanistic understanding of these processes and the ongoing efforts to improve vaccine safety and efficacy based on this understanding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Mochida
- Department of Advanced Nanomedical Engineering, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Satoshi Uchida
- Department of Advanced Nanomedical Engineering, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pateev I, Seregina K, Ivanov R, Reshetnikov V. Biodistribution of RNA Vaccines and of Their Products: Evidence from Human and Animal Studies. Biomedicines 2023; 12:59. [PMID: 38255166 PMCID: PMC10812935 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Explosive developments in mRNA vaccine technology in the last decade have made it possible to achieve great success in clinical trials of mRNA vaccines to prevent infectious diseases and develop cancer treatments and mRNA-based gene therapy products. The approval of the mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2 mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has led to mass vaccination (with mRNA vaccines) of several hundred million people around the world, including children. Despite its effectiveness in the fight against COVID-19, rare adverse effects of the vaccination have been shown in some studies, including vascular microcirculation disorders and autoimmune and allergic reactions. The biodistribution of mRNA vaccines remains one of the most poorly investigated topics. This mini-review discussed the results of recent experimental studies on humans and rodents regarding the biodistribution of mRNA vaccines, their constituents (mRNA and lipid nanoparticles), and their encoded antigens. We focused on the dynamics of the biodistribution of mRNA vaccine products and on the possibility of crossing the blood-brain and blood-placental barriers as well as transmission to infants through breast milk. In addition, we critically assessed the strengths and weaknesses of the detection methods that have been applied in these articles, whose results' reliability is becoming a subject of debate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ildus Pateev
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
| | - Kristina Seregina
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
| | - Roman Ivanov
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
| | - Vasiliy Reshetnikov
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Herzog RW, Giangrande PH. The Nobel Prize awarded to pioneers of mRNA vaccines. Mol Ther 2023; 31:3105-3106. [PMID: 37863063 PMCID: PMC10638032 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Roland W Herzog
- Editor-in-Chief, Molecular Therapy; Gene and Cell Therapy Program, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, 1044 W. Walnut Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
McGee JE, Kirsch JR, Kenney D, Chavez E, Shih TY, Douam F, Wong WW, Grinstaff MW. Complete substitution with modified nucleotides suppresses the early interferon response and increases the potency of self-amplifying RNA. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.15.557994. [PMID: 37745375 PMCID: PMC10516017 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.15.557994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) will revolutionize vaccines and in situ therapeutics by enabling protein expression for longer duration at lower doses. However, a major barrier to saRNA efficacy is the potent early interferon response triggered upon cellular entry, resulting in saRNA degradation and translational inhibition. Substitution of mRNA with modified nucleotides (modNTPs), such as N1-methylpseudouridine (N1mΨ), reduce the interferon response and enhance expression levels. Multiple attempts to use modNTPs in saRNA have been unsuccessful, leading to the conclusion that modNTPs are incompatible with saRNA, thus hindering further development. Here, contrary to the common dogma in the field, we identify multiple modNTPs that when incorporated into saRNA at 100% substitution confer immune evasion and enhance expression potency. Transfection efficiency enhances by roughly an order of magnitude in difficult to transfect cell types compared to unmodified saRNA, and interferon production reduces by >8 fold compared to unmodified saRNA in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Furthermore, we demonstrate expression of viral antigens in vitro and observe significant protection against lethal challenge with a mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 strain in vivo . A modified saRNA vaccine, at 100-fold lower dose than a modified mRNA vaccine, results in a statistically improved performance to unmodified saRNA and statistically equivalent performance to modified mRNA. This discovery considerably broadens the potential scope of self-amplifying RNA, enabling entry into previously impossible cell types, as well as the potential to apply saRNA technology to non-vaccine modalities such as cell therapy and protein replacement.
Collapse
|
15
|
Tregoning JS. LION: Taming RNA vaccine inflammation. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2557. [PMID: 37541255 PMCID: PMC10492017 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John S Tregoning
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|