A huge step in nanomedicine to fight COVID-19

Recent editorial Nature nanotechnology A messenger RNA (mRNA) -based vaccine developed to deliver the gene sequence of a specific SARS-CoV-2 viral protein to a host cell using a nanotechnology platform, describing the enormous feat of scientific innovation I will. This new class of gene-based vaccines usually differs from traditional vaccine models that administer the entire virus. It elicits the desired immune response as either a live attenuated virus, an inactivated virus, or a manipulation virus that closely resembles a target pathogen.

Two RNA-based vaccines instead of one have completed the final stages of clinical trials in the competition for successful vaccination of the global population against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection , Currently awaiting regulatory approval. In the United States, the agency that gives this final approval mark is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Once approved, you can start mass distribution and administration of the vaccine.

Double-stranded DNA is transcribed into single-stranded messenger RNA. Image Credit: Soleil Nordic

Vaccine Candidate Approval Process

Once a vaccine is designed, it undergoes several stages of rigorous testing and approval before it enters the market. First, the vaccine will 1) participate in cell culture and preclinical testing conducted in animals. 2) They then enter Phase 1 of the clinical trial, which is conducted with a small sample of human volunteers. Then 3) Phase 2 expands human-based trials, often with hundreds of participants, including children and the elderly. 4) Phase 3 trials aimed at identifying the efficacy and safety of the immunogenicity of the vaccine have begun and typically involve tens of thousands of volunteers. Finally, Researcher 5) presents the results of clinical trials to public health agencies (such as the FDA). Public health agencies scrutinize the data to determine if the vaccine is sufficiently effective and safe for large-scale distribution.

mRNA candidate

In November 2020, two biotechnology giants, Pfizer and Moderna, announced potential 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine candidates and presented promising results for their respective clinical trials. Both of these candidates are the first of a new class of messenger RNA (mRNA) -based vaccines and may be the first effective prophylactic pharmacological means against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

BNT162b2 is a vaccine developed in collaboration with BioNtech (Biopharmaceutical New Technologies), a small German start-up company, and Pfizer, a major American pharmaceutical company. The results of their clinical trials show 95% efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 infection. It also meets all key efficacy points consistent across age, gender, race and ethnic demographics.

Another vaccine, mRNA-1273, is Moderna, Inc., a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This vaccine showed 94.5% efficacy.

These two vaccine candidates are made from mRNA that contains a message to build a spike protein that is essential for the invasion of coronavirus into host cells. Both BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 encode a genetic variation in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. It is more stable and immunogenic than natural proteins.They enter the host cell and let them make these Spike protein.. When endocytosis occurs and is translated into an antigenic protein, the immune system’s mechanisms are activated and Neutralizing antibody When a person is exposed to a pathogen, the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can be targeted.

A complete vector is required for safe delivery of mRNA. mRNA cargo must reach the cytosol across the cytoplasmic membrane without being degraded in the circulation. Lipid nanoparticles are one of the best choices for mRNA carriers. Within these positively charged lipids, mRNA is safe for RNase-mediated degradation. In the form of self-assembled virus-sized particles, it is easy to administer by various routes.

mRNA-based therapies have significant advantages. 1) Delivery is safe because it is less infectious than live viruses and does not integrate into the host genome like DNA-based delivery. 2) The processing of mRNA occurs in the cytosol, so it does not need to enter the nucleus. 3) The half-life of mRNA is short and can be controlled by molecular design. 4) Immunogenic (in that it can effectively elicit the strong immune response required by the host to generate immunity). Its immunogenicity can also be regulated using molecular engineering techniques.

An important issue here is the logistical hurdle. mRNA is unstable unless it freezes rapidly. For transportation, storage and local delivery, refrigerated storage at minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit) is required until controlled.

An important milestone in nanomedicine

These vaccines are a revolutionary innovation in nanomedicine, a tremendous scientific achievement in an incredibly short period of time. Vaccines usually require years of research before starting clinical trials.

To date, therapeutic approaches involving nanomedicine have beenFrom the lab to the bedside “.. The results were overwhelming, especially for cancer treatment. This is due to an inadequate understanding of the complex nanobio-interactions that are occurring.

However, for vaccines, simple, versatile, and scalable nanoplatforms lead to the success of the nanomedicine approach. The possibility of designing using standard laboratory techniques means that they can be easily and quickly adapted to produce new vaccines for future epidemics.

COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented global health crisis. These nanomedicine-based vaccines may help mitigate the current pandemic and its painful effects on the global economy and public health.

Vaccine success also depends on the implementation of administration by the local government. A second dose is essential for an effective COVID-19 vaccine program. People need to be aware of and adhere to the importance of both doses.

These two Nanoparticle-based vaccine It is approaching approval by the US Food and Drug Administration. However, many questions remain about the results of these vaccines and the actual environment. However, if successful, it will help mitigate an unprecedented dimension of global health crisis in modern history, demonstrate influential applications of nanomedicine on a global scale, and its potential benefits to the widest audience. Raise awareness about.