US20240366751
2024-11-07
Human necessities
A61K39/215
The patent application focuses on RNA-based methods and agents for vaccination against coronavirus infections, specifically targeting effective immune responses. It discusses the use of RNA to stimulate antigen-specific immune responses, including both antibody and T cell responses, against various strains and variants of the coronavirus. The invention aims to provide a robust defense mechanism by employing RNA that encodes specific proteins from the virus, thereby enhancing the body's ability to recognize and combat the infection.
Several experimental protocols are outlined to evaluate the efficacy of variant-adapted vaccines in mice. The studies involve administering different combinations of RNA vaccines encoding SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins from various strains, such as Wuhan and Omicron variants. Mice are grouped and given doses at specified intervals, with immune responses measured by neutralization titers against pseudoviruses representing different coronavirus variants.
Results indicate that certain variant-adapted vaccines, particularly those tailored for newer variants like XBB.1.5, elicit higher neutralization titers compared to older vaccine formulations. The experiments demonstrate that these adapted vaccines can induce strong immune responses in both vaccine-experienced and vaccine-naïve mice. The data suggest that monovalent vaccines targeting specific variants may offer improved protection.
The disclosure includes detailed descriptions of RNA structures used in the vaccines, emphasizing modifications like N1-methyl-pseudouridine (m1Ψ) to enhance stability and efficacy. The RNA constructs may also include 5' caps for improved translation efficiency. These technical enhancements are critical for optimizing the vaccine's performance in eliciting a desired immune response.
This research has significant implications for developing next-generation coronavirus vaccines that are more adaptable to emerging variants. By leveraging RNA technology with specific modifications, these vaccines could potentially offer broader and more durable protection against evolving strains of the virus, thereby contributing to better management of ongoing and future pandemics.