Polyvalent mRNA vaccine targeting outer surface protein C affords multi-strain protection against Lyme disease.

ABSTRACT: There is currently no Lyme disease (LD) vaccine available for use in humans. Outer surface protein C (OspC) of the causative agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, is a promising LD vaccine target. However, the extensive genetic variation of OspC poses a challenge in affording broad protection. Here, we developed a monovalent mRNA vaccine encoding OspC type A and a polyvalent vaccine encoding OspC types A, C, I, K, and N. The monovalent vaccine conferred complete protection against homologous challenge in mice, inducing functional OspC-specific antibodies and CD4⁺ T cell responses. The polyvalent formulation elicited antibodies to all encoded OspC types and protected against strains expressing OspC types A, I, and K, but not C or N. Increasing the dose enhanced protection against the OspC type C str

SUBMITTER: Pfeifle A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12774967 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature