The scientists of the Army Research Institute named after Walter Reed and the Naval Center for Medical Studies have created a new vaccine based on matrix RNA against malaria – a common infectious disease, which in 2019 killed almost half a million people. This is reported in the article published in the magazine Vaccines.
Currently, the most modern is the RTS, S vaccine, which is based on the circus-space protein (CSP), secreted on the spore stage of the PLASMODIUM Falciparum. The vaccine protein itself is recombinant, that is, consists of two parts – that part of the CSP, which is recognized by immune T-cells and the hepatitis virus shell protein to enhance the immune response. However, it has limited efficiency and duration of protection against malaria.
The new vaccine is also based on CSP, but in this case the recombinant protein is not administered directly. Instead, a matrix RNA (MRNA) encoding the CSP protein and surrounded by a lipid shell falls into the body. Such nanoparticle ensures the protection of mRNA from premature destruction. As shown in vitro experiments, falling inside the cells during transfection (the non-revivan method of introducing nucleic acid), mRNA causes cells to synthesize the circus-co-protein independently, which launches the immune system, but does not cause infection.
Testing on a mouse model showed that the RNA vaccine provides a high level of animal protection from infection by two strains of transgenic parasites P. berghei. In the future, scientists plan to move to clinical trials of the drug.