A nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccine prevents enterovirus A71 infection in mouse model.
Fengyu Chi, Xu Zhang, Dong Zhang, Airu Zhu, Zhen Zhuang, Zhaoyong Zhang, Zhenjie Zhang, Chuansong Quan, Kaixiao Nie, Juan Li, Chunhong Yin, Jie Tong, Yuming Li
Author Information
Fengyu Chi: School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China.
Xu Zhang: School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China.
Dong Zhang: School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China.
Airu Zhu: State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Centre for Respiratory Disease, National Centre for Respiratory Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Zhen Zhuang: State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Centre for Respiratory Disease, National Centre for Respiratory Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Zhaoyong Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Centre for Respiratory Disease, National Centre for Respiratory Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Zhenjie Zhang: Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Universities of Shandong, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China.
Chuansong Quan: Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Universities of Shandong, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China.
Kaixiao Nie: Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Universities of Shandong, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China.
Juan Li: Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Universities of Shandong, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China.
Chunhong Yin: Infectious Disease Control Institute, Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Ji'nan, China.
Jie Tong: College of Life Science, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China.
Yuming Li: School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan, China.
Introduction: Human Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is the primary pathogen responsible for severe hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Vaccination plays a crucial role in controlling its spread. Although inactivated vaccines have been approved, there is growing interest in developing new candidates using advanced platforms. mRNA vaccines, widely used for enveloped viruses, are less studied for non-enveloped viruses like EV-A71. This study investigates the potential of an mRNA vaccine targeting the EV-A71 VP1 protein. Methods: A nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccine encoding the VP1 protein of EV-A71, encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), was developed. Immunogenicity and protective efficacy were evaluated in BALB/c and neonatal A129 mice, respectively. Immune responses were assessed by ELISA, micro-neutralization assays, ELISpot, and intracellular cytokine staining (ICS). Passive protection was tested by transferring immune sera to neonatal mice challenged with EV-A71. Results: The VP1 mRNA-LNP vaccine elicited robust humoral and cellular immunity, including high levels of VP1-specific IgG, neutralizing antibodies, and a Th1-biased T-cell response. Notably, the mRNA vaccine outperformed the inactivated vaccine in eliciting cellular immunity. Immune sera provided complete protection against lethal EV-A71 challenge, significantly reducing viral load and pathology. Discussion: This study demonstrates that the mRNA vaccine exhibits significant potential for combating non-enveloped viruses. These findings highlight the promising role of mRNA platforms in advancing vaccine development against non-enveloped viral pathogens, offering new avenues for future research and clinical applications.
