Self-Amplifying RNA: A Second Revolution of mRNA Vaccines against COVID-19.

ABSTRACT: SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of COVID-19, has produced the largest pandemic in the 21st century, becoming a very serious health problem worldwide. To prevent COVID-19 disease and infection, a large number of vaccines have been developed and approved in record time, including new vaccines based on mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles. While mRNA-based vaccines have proven to be safe and effective, they are more expensive to produce compared to conventional vaccines. A special type of mRNA vaccine is based on self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) derived from the genome of RNA viruses, mainly alphaviruses. These saRNAs encode a viral replicase in addition to the antigen, usually the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The replicase can amplify the saRNA in transfected cells, potentially reducing th

SUBMITTER: Silva-Pilipich N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10974399 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature