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Updated: Jul 24, 2026
In Vitro ELISA Test to Evaluate Rabies Vaccine Potency
Published on: May 11, 2020
An mRNA vaccine against rabies provides strong and durable protection in mice
Miao Li1,2, Enyue Fang1,3, Yunpeng Wang1
1Department of Arbovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China.
Introduction:
Rabies is a serious public health problem worldwide for which an effective treatment method is lacking but can be prevented by vaccines. Current vaccines are produced in cell or egg cultures, which are both costly and time consuming.
Methods:
Here, a non-replicating mRNA vaccine (RV021) encoding the rabies virus glycoprotein was developed in vitro, and its immunogenicity and protective efficacy against live virus was evaluated in mice.
Results:
A two-dose vaccination with 1 μg of RV021 at 7-day intervals induced a protective level of neutralizing antibody that was maintained for at least 260 days. RV021 induced a robust cellular immune response that was significantly superior to that of an inactivated vaccine. Two doses of 1 μg RV021 provided full protection against challenge with CVS of 30~60-fold lethal dose, 50%. Vaccine potency testing (according to the National Institutes of Health) in vivo revealed that the potency of RV021 at 15 μg/dose was 7.5 IU/dose, which is substantially higher than the standard for lot release of rabies vaccines for current human use.
Conclusion:
The mRNA vaccine RV021 induces a strong protective immune response in mice, providing a new and promising strategy for human rabies prevention and control.
Insights
A novel messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine (RV021) shows promise for rabies prevention. This vaccine induced strong, long-lasting immunity and full protection in mice, offering a potential new strategy against rabies.
Area of Science:
- Vaccinology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Rabies remains a significant global public health concern.
- Existing rabies vaccines are costly and time-consuming to produce.
- Effective rabies treatments are currently unavailable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel non-replicating mRNA vaccine (RV021) for rabies.
- To assess the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of RV021 in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Development of an in vitro non-replicating mRNA vaccine (RV021) encoding rabies virus glycoprotein.
- Evaluation of immunogenicity and protective efficacy in mice following a two-dose vaccination regimen.
- Assessment of neutralizing antibody levels, cellular immune response, and protection against live rabies virus challenge.
Main Results:
- A two-dose regimen of 1 μg RV021 induced protective neutralizing antibodies lasting over 260 days.
- RV021 elicited a superior cellular immune response compared to an inactivated vaccine.
- Full protection against lethal rabies virus challenge was achieved with two 1 μg doses.
- In vivo vaccine potency testing indicated RV021 at 15 μg/dose had a potency of 7.5 IU/dose, exceeding current standards.
Conclusions:
- The mRNA vaccine RV021 demonstrates strong immunogenicity and protective efficacy in mice.
- RV021 represents a promising new strategy for human rabies prevention and control.
- This novel vaccine platform may overcome limitations of current rabies vaccine production.
