Intranasal mRNA-LNP vaccination protects hamsters from SARS-CoV-2 infection

• Published in: Science advances Vol. 9; no. 38; p. eadh1655
• Main Authors: Baldeon Vaca, Gabriela, Meyer, Michelle, Cadete, Ana, Hsiao, Chiaowen Joyce, Golding, Anne, Jeon, Albert, Jacquinet, Eric, Azcue, Emily, Guan, Chenxia Monica, Sanchez-Felix, Xavier, Pietzsch, Colette A., Mire, Chad E., Hyde, Matthew A., Comeaux, Margaret E., Williams, Julie M., Sung, Jean C., Carfi, Andrea, Edwards, Darin K., Bukreyev, Alexander, Bahl, Kapil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science 22-09-2023
• Subjects: Biomedicine and Life Sciences; Coronavirus; Immunology; Public Health; SciAdv r-articles
• ISSN: 2375-2548; 2375-2548
• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh1655

Intranasal vaccination represents a promising approach for preventing disease caused by respiratory pathogens by eliciting a mucosal immune response in the respiratory tract that may act as an early barrier to infection and transmission. This study investigated immunogenicity and protective efficacy of intranasally administered messenger RNA (mRNA)–lipid nanoparticle (LNP) encapsulated vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Syrian golden hamsters. Intranasal mRNA-LNP vaccination systemically induced spike-specific binding [immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA] and neutralizing antibodies. Intranasally vaccinated hamsters also had decreased viral loads in the respiratory tract, reduced lung pathology, and prevented weight loss after SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Together, this study demonstrates successful immunogenicity and protection against respiratory viral infection by an intranasally administered mRNA-LNP vaccine.
SARS-CoV-2 intranasal mRNA-LNP vaccine is immunogenic and protects against respiratory viral infection in an animal model.