Yale researchers have introduced a cutting-edge technology that enhances the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines. This breakthrough promises significant advancements in combating a variety of diseases, including cancer and autoimmune conditions.
Scientists from Yale University have unveiled a groundbreaking technology set to revolutionize the efficacy of mRNA vaccines. The new innovation, detailed in a study published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering, augments the strength and reach of these vaccines, paving the way for advancements in the prevention and treatment of various diseases beyond COVID-19.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna gained widespread recognition for their effectiveness. However, their application to other diseases has faced challenges.
According to senior author Sidi Chen, an associate professor of genetics and neurosurgery at the Yale School of Medicine, the team sought to understand why mRNA vaccines worked so well against COVID-19 but not as successfully against other diseases.
“Everyone is very familiar with mRNA vaccines from the pandemic,” Chen said in a news release. “But we wondered why the vaccine was working so well in COVID, but not so much in many other diseases that it was being tested on.”
The key lies in how antigens — substances recognized by the immune system as foreign — are presented to the body.
Traditional mRNA vaccines sometimes fail to bring antigens to the cell surface where they can effectively trigger an immune response. This issue arises because some antigens created by mRNA vaccines get trapped within cells, eluding the immune system.
To tackle this, the Yale team developed what they call a molecular vaccine platform (MVP).
This innovative solution attaches a kind of “cell-GPS” module to the proteins that mRNA vaccines deliver, guiding these proteins to the cell surface. This movement ensures that the antigens are more readily detected by the immune system, enhancing the vaccine’s overall effectiveness.
The researchers designed the “GPS” modules using natural membrane proteins like signal peptides and transmembrane anchors. Signal peptides direct proteins to the correct location within a cell, while transmembrane anchors secure proteins to cell membranes, facilitating their visibility and communication.
Laboratory tests of the new platform showed promising results.
When applied to viruses such as mpox (previously known as monkeypox), human papillomavirus (HPV), linked to cervical cancer, and varicella-zoster virus (shingles), the MVP produced significantly stronger immune responses.
This included dramatic improvements in antigen expression, antibody production and T cell activation.
“We’re taking an important step forward to allow us to broaden what the vaccines can be used for,” Chen added. “We’re trying to expand this type of technology to other diseases, such as cancer, HIV and autoimmune conditions.”
Source: Yale University