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Updated: Jun 6, 2025
Intranasal Administration of Recombinant Influenza Vaccines in Chimeric Mouse Models to Study Mucosal Immunity
Published on: June 25, 2015
Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Combined mRNA Vaccine Against Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in Mice Animal Models
Elena P Mazunina1, Vladimir A Gushchin1,2,3, Evgeniia N Bykonia1
1N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology & Microbiology, Ministry of Health, Moscow 123098, Russia.
Insights
This study shows that a combined mRNA vaccine for influenza and COVID-19 in mice did not interfere between components. The dual-target vaccine demonstrated full protection against influenza and reduced SARS-CoV-2 viral load.
Area of Science:
- Vaccinology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Combined vaccines offer advantages like fewer injections and improved coverage.
- The mRNA platform is effective but lacks approved combination vaccines.
- Potential for mRNA vaccine component interaction necessitates investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate combining mRNA vaccines for seasonal influenza and SARS-CoV-2.
- To assess potential immunogenicity and efficacy interference between vaccine components.
Main Methods:
- mRNA-lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) prepared via microfluidic mixing.
- Immunogenicity assessed using hemagglutination inhibition, ELISA, and virus neutralization assays in mice.
- Efficacy evaluated through a mouse viral challenge model.
Main Results:
- Individual mRNA components did not negatively impact each other's immunogenicity.
- Combined vaccine achieved 100% survival against H1N1 influenza challenge.
- Reduced viral load and undetectable viable SARS-CoV-2 in lungs post-challenge.
Conclusions:
- Combining mRNA vaccines for influenza and SARS-CoV-2 does not cause mutual interference.
- This dual-target mRNA vaccine shows promise as an alternative to separate vaccinations.
- Potential for a single vaccine to protect against both COVID-19 and influenza.
Abstract:
Background. The combined or multivalent vaccines are actively used in pediatric practice and offer a series of advantages, including a reduced number of injections and visits to the doctor, simplicity of the vaccination schedule and minimization of side effects, easier vaccine monitoring and storage, and lower vaccination costs. The practice of widespread use of the combined vaccines has shown the potential to increase vaccination coverage against single infections. The mRNA platform has been shown to be effective against the COVID-19 pandemic and enables the development of combined vaccines. There are currently no mRNA-based combined vaccines approved for use in humans. Some studies have shown that different mRNA components in a vaccine can interact to increase or decrease the immunogenicity and efficacy of the combined vaccine. Objectives. In the present study, we investigated the possibility of combining the mRNA vaccines, encoding seasonal influenza and SARS-CoV-2 antigens. In our previous works, both vaccine candidates have shown excellent immunogenicity and efficacy profiles in mice. Methods. The mRNA-LNPs were prepared by microfluidic mixing, immunogenicity in mice was assessed by hemagglutination inhibition assay, enzyme-linked immunoassay and virus neutralization assay. Immunological efficacy was assessed in a mouse viral challenge model. Results. In this work, we demonstrated that the individual mRNA components of the combined vaccine did not affect the immunogenicity level of each other. The combined vaccine demonstrated excellent protective efficacy, providing a 100% survival rate when mice were infected with the H1N1 influenza virus and reducing the viral load in the lungs. Four days after the challenge with SARS-CoV-2 EG.5.1.1., no viable virus and low levels of detectable viral RNA were observed in the lungs of vaccinated mice. Conclusions. The combination does not lead to mutual interference between the individual vaccines. We believe that such a combined mRNA-based vaccine could be a good alternative to separated human vaccinations for the prevention of COVID-19 and influenza.
