Comparison of the Immune Effects of an mRNA Vaccine and a Subunit Vaccine against Herpes Zoster Administered by Different Injection Methods

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that the herpes zoster subunit vaccine Shingrix™ performs well in clinical trials. However, the key ingredient in its adjuvant, QS21, is extracted from rare plants in South America, so vaccine production is limited. Compared with subunit vaccines, mRNA vaccines have the advantages of faster production and not requiring adjuvants, but currently, there is no authorized mRNA vaccine for herpes zoster. Therefore, this study focused on herpes zoster subunit and mRNA vaccines. We prepared a herpes zoster mRNA vaccine and compared the effects of vaccine type, immunization route, and adjuvant use on vaccine immunological efficacy. The mRNA vaccine was injected directly into mice via subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. The subunit vaccine was mixed with adjuvants before immunization. The adjuvants include B2Q or alum. B2Q is BW006S + 2395S + QS21. BW006S and 2395S are phosphodiester CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs). Then, we compared the cell-mediated immunity (CIM) and humoral immunity levels of the different groups of mice. The results showed that the immune responses of mice inoculated with the mRNA vaccine prepared in this study were not significantly different from those of mice inoculated with the protein subunit vaccine supplemented with the B2Q. The mRNA vaccine-induced immune responses following subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, and the different immunization routes did not lead to significant differences in immune response intensity. Similar results were also observed for the protein subunit vaccine adjuvanted with B2Q but not alum. The above results suggest that our experiment can provide a reference for the preparation of mRNA vaccines against herpes zoster and has certain reference significance for the selection of the immunization route; that is, there is no significant difference in the immune response caused by subcutaneous versus an intramuscular injection, so the injection route can be determined according to the actual situation of individuals.

Turning the Tide against Herpes Zoster in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Treated with JAK Inhibitors

“…Our study confirmed that JAKi could be associated with HZ, with an overall incidence in line with findings previously reported in the literature [23,[35][36][37]39]. While this outcome might be viewed by clinicians as a major drawback in therapeutic choices, it should be noted that all cases of HZ reactivation recorded in our study had favourable outcomes.…”

“…This combination proved to greatly enhance IFN serum concentration to levels comparable with those measured during the natural infection. The data demonstrating its efficacy [35,36] and safety [37] in adults over 50 years old have broadened its use, including in patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatments who could not be safely vaccinated with the previously available attenuated vaccine. This expanded applicability has provided a crucial option for those until that moment at risk of complications from live vaccines.…”

Cancer/Testis Antigens as Targets for RNA-Based Anticancer Therapy

“…The advantages of mRNA vaccines over traditional vaccines include the induction of both cellular and humoral immunity and the lack of insertional mutagenesis of genomic DNA [82]. The manufacture of mRNA vaccines is easier and less time-consuming when compared with plasmid DNA [83,84]. Unlike subunit vaccines, mRNA vaccines do not require adjuvants [84].…”

“…The manufacture of mRNA vaccines is easier and less time-consuming when compared with plasmid DNA [83,84]. Unlike subunit vaccines, mRNA vaccines do not require adjuvants [84]. An mRNA vaccine is expressed in the cytosol, but not in the nucleus.…”