Development of nucleic acid vaccine for mucosal-application based on pharmaceutics and immunology -For Covid-19 prevention-

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H02648
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 47060:Clinical pharmacy-related
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: Sasaki Hitoshi 長崎大学, 熱帯医学研究所, 特命教授 (00170689)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 黒崎 友亮 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(薬学系), 助教 (00582016) ; 平山 謙二 長崎大学, 熱帯医学・グローバルヘルス研究科, 教授 (60189868)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ワクチン / ｍRNA / 感染症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we constructed novel mRNA nanoparticles for topical vaccination with various cationic polymers, lipids, and anionic compounds. The mRNA nanoparticle vaccine was a spherical, negatively charged nanoparticle with approximately 100-200 nm particle size. The mRNA nanoparticle vaccine was efficiently taken up by antigen-presenting cells, and expressed proteins from the mRNA encapsulated in the nanoparticles. We loaded this mRNA microparticle vaccine with mRNA encoding ovalbumin and SARS-CoV-2 antigens; and administered them to mice via various routes. We found that the mRNA microparticle vaccine had a strong immune induction effect, especially after pulmonary administration.

Free Research Field

薬剤学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、局所投与後に高い免疫誘導効果を示す新たなmRNA微粒子ワクチンの技術を開発した。このmRNA微粒子ワクチンは内包するmRNAがコードする抗原を変更するだけで様々な感染症に応用することが可能であり、パンデミック時にも速やかなワクチン開発を実現できる画期的な技術である。