Revolutionary Universal RNAi Vaccine Developed by Researchers to Provide Immunity for All

The new type of vaccine does not focus on the production of antibodies so it will be suitable for both babies and people with a weak immune system, the researchers promise. It can also stop ‘rising’ indefinitely.

We mostly know the ‘boosters’ from the time of the corona vaccine. Every mutation of the coronavirus was closely monitored and the vaccines were again adjusted accordingly. But people also queue up for the flu shot every year to protect themselves from the latest strain of the virus. Researchers at the University of California to stop these re-injections. They have developed a new strategy that should make modified vaccines for new variants unnecessary.

Child
This new vaccine strategy does not focus on a few specific features of the virus, but on all parts of the viral genome (an organism’s complete genetic information). In addition, the vaccine does not rely on the traditional response of the human immune system. This means that it may also be suitable for babies with an underdeveloped immune system, and for people who suffer from an illness that weakens their immune system.

What makes this vaccine different?
“The protective effect of current vaccines depends on our adaptive immunity, such as antibodies,” explained researcher Shou-wei Ding. In other words, from our ‘acquired immune system’ which arises from experience gained from previous infections. For example, our immune system produces memory cells the first time we encounter a virus, so that it is better prepared the next time and an immune response can be initiated more quickly. This principle is also used in vaccines, where the basis is often a weak virus, part of it or an imitation of the virus. Vaccination is the Riverside UC focus on another aspect of our immune system: the small molecules that cause ‘RNA interference’ (RNAi) after infection.

“We focus on the whole genome”

How does it work?
RNAi is a biological process that specifically targets defective proteins that cause disease. The process was previously known in invertebrates, fungi and plants that do not have an immune system like ours, but rely on this RNAi system for their protection. This system ensures that RNAi molecules bind to specific genes so that they can no longer produce defective proteins, or to viral RNA, which they then attack and destroy. Since humans also have such RNAi protection, the researchers thought that this pathway could also be a target for vaccines.

Mutations don’t matter
The big advantage of using this RNAi protection is that such a vaccine can protect against a much larger group of viruses, says his colleague Rong Hai. “Viruses can move in regions that are not targeted by traditional vaccines. In contrast, we target the entire genome with thousands of small RNAs. she is (ed. the viruses) so we cannot escape from this.” This applies even to the most difficult to reach regions, such as the ends of the viral genome (the 3′ and 5′ ends), Ding adds. “This allows for the identification of almost all strains of a specific virus family.”

Mutant virus as a vaccine
The principle of the vaccine is based on existing RNAi treatments, says Ding. “These treatments inhibit specific gene expressions by delivering chemical small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). By using this principle to create a vaccine, it is possible to stimulate the natural production of large populations of siRNAs, said Ding. So the vaccine itself is made up of a modified version of the virus. Normal viruses can produce proteins that prevent the host from releasing the RNAi molecule, but the modified virus cannot do this. The virus can reproduce to some extent, but eventually it loses the battle. In this way the body has enough time to train the RNAi defense.

Animal testing
Researchers confirmed this after testing this method by infecting mutant mice with a mouse virus Nodamura. The mice lacked T and B cells (important players in the immune system) and were therefore poorly protected against infection. The mice that received a single subsequent injection of the RNAi vaccine appeared to be protected against a lethal dose of the real virus. In any case, for at least ninety days, which must be approximately equal to ten years in human life.

“If this is successful, newborns will no longer have to rely on their mothers’ antibodies.”

A solution for people?
Although it is a good result, universal vaccines will have to wait a while, says Ding. “We must first determine whether we can reproduce the result with one or more human viral pathogens in at least one animal model before attracting partners and funding to prepare clinical trials. In that regard, it is difficult for us to predict when we will have a vaccine product available to the public. ” Riverside UC has already received an American patent on this RNAi vaccine technology.

Vaccines in sprayvorm
If the technology makes vaccines approved, that will be good news for people with weak immune systems and babies. Where the adaptive immune system develops over the years, even newborn mice can produce RNAi molecules. Which explains why the vaccine protected them too. The first step is to get the flu shot this way. “If this is successful, newborns will no longer have to rely on their mothers’ antibodies,” said Ding. To make it even easier to use, perhaps these vaccines could be delivered in spray form, as is currently the case with some flu vaccines.

So it will take some time before an RNAi vaccine is on the market, but the researchers are optimistic. Ding: “We have demonstrated long-term protection in mutant mouse strains without a functional adaptive immune system. We now have to wait to see if this can be reproduced in humans. “