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Novel mRNA vaccines induce potent immunogenicity and afford protection against tuberculosis

Abstract:

Introduction: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), a disease with a severe global burden. The intractability of Mtb has prevented the identification of clear correlates of protection against TB and hindered the development of novel TB vaccines that are urgently required. Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-formulated mRNA is a highly promising vaccine platform that has yet to be thoroughly applied to TB.

Methods: We selected five Mtb antigens (PPE15, ESAT6, EspC, EsxI, MetE) and evaluated their potential as LNP-formulated mRNA vaccines, both when each antigen was delivered individually, and when all five antigens were combined in a mix regimen (m-Mix).

Results: Each mRNA construct demonstrated unique cellular and humoral immunogenicity, and both m-Mix, as well as the single antigen EsxI, conferred significant protection in a murine Mtb challenge model. Whilst the potent immune responses of each mRNA were maintained when applied as a boost to BCG, there was no additional increase to the efficacy of BCG. Combination of m-Mix with a recombinant, replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAdOx1), in a heterologous prime-boost delivery (C-m-Mix), appeared to result in increased protection upon murine Mtb infection, than either regimen alone.

Discussion: This work warrants further investigation of LNP-formulated mRNA vaccines for TB, whilst indicating the potential of m-Mix and C-m-Mix to progress to further stages of vaccine development.

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.3389/fimmu.2025.1540359

Authors

More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDM
Sub department:
Jenner Institute
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDM
Sub department:
Jenner Institute
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDM
Sub department:
Jenner Institute
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDM
Sub department:
Jenner Institute
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDM
Sub department:
Jenner Institute
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-2126-5142


More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/03x94j517


Publisher:
Frontiers Media
Journal:
Frontiers in Immunology More from this journal
Volume:
16
Article number:
1540359
Publication date:
2025-02-13
Acceptance date:
2025-01-27
DOI:
EISSN:
1664-3224
Pmid:
40018046


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
2092157
Local pid:
pubs:2092157
Deposit date:
2025-03-14
ARK identifier:

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