mRNA-Based Vaccine for COVID-19: They Are New but Not Unknown!

Abstract

mRNA vaccines take advantage of the mechanism that our cells use to produce proteins. Our cells produce proteins based on the knowledge contained in our DNA; each gene encodes a unique protein. The genetic information is essential, but cells cannot use it until mRNA molecules convert it into instructions for producing specific proteins. mRNA vaccinations provide ready-to-use mRNA instructions for constructing a specific protein. BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) both are newly approved mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines that have shown excellent protection and efficacy. In total, there are five more mRNA-based vaccine candidates for COVID-19 under different phases of clinical development. This review is specifically focused on mRNA-based vaccines for COVID-19 covering its development, mechanism, and clinical aspects.

Variants of SARS-CoV-2: Influences on the Vaccines’ Effectiveness and Possible Strategies to Overcome Their Consequences

“…In the Moderna-based mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine, DSPC, SM-102, PEG-DMG, and cholesterol are utilized as LNP, while Pfizer-BioNtech-162b2 is made up of DSPC, ALC-0315, cholesterol, and ALC0159 [ 171 ]. The mRNA-LNP vaccination will stop the mRNA from prematurely degrading and will make it easier for antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such as dendritic cells (DCs), to receive it in their cytoplasm [ 181 ]. The choice of LNP, however, affects the mRNA stability and durability, which determines the outcome of the immunological response.…”

“…The exact type(s) of degradation that mRNA molecules go through in their final formulation should also be thoroughly examined, as should the possibility that strand integrity might be preserved by sequence change [ 182 ]. While there are hints that certain folded configurations are more stable, this might also be connected to the analysis and improvement of the secondary and tertiary structure of mRNA [ 8 , 171 , 181 , 182 ].…”

Immunoglobulin A response to SARS-CoV-2-N-protein potentially persists in oral fluids of patients with periodontitis six months after mRNA vaccine administration

“…This response can prevent the spread and mitigate the morbidity and mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. 2 Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the immunoglobulin (IgA) levels in the saliva and GCF of participants with and without periodontitis, six months after administration of two intramuscular COVID-19 mRNA vaccine doses. IgA was chosen for evaluation because it plays an important role in mucosal immunity and viral neutralization.…”

Editorial: Nucleic acid-based therapies for cardiovascular diseases

“…While these are significant challenges, the prospect of overcoming them has solid ground. The successful development in a relatively short time of RNA-based COVID-19 vaccines (5), acknowledged by the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, underscores a paradigmatic shift catalysed by RNA-targeted therapeutics within the contemporary biomedical landscape. Concerted efforts in research and development hold the promise of transforming cardiovascular therapeutics through RNA-targeted interventions.…”