Biology subjects

Narayanan, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Narayanan, E..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

mRNA delivery of dimeric human IgA protects mucosal tissues from bacterial infection

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy is a promising infectious disease intervention strategy but is limited to IgG1 isotypes that have restricted access to mucosal sites. IgA is well-established as the predominant antibody isotype in mucosal secretions but is clinically underutilized. To enable development of IgA-based mAbs, we exploited mRNA platform technology and demonstrated expression of functional, antigen-specific IgA (IgAmRNA) that can limit bacterial invasion in the intestine and prevent colonization in the lung. Moreover, in vivo IgAmRNA had enhanced serum half-life and a greater degree of sialylation than a recombinantly produced IgA. The results underscore the potential of mRNA-based platforms to deliver protective human mAbs to mucosal surfaces and open new avenues to combat infectious diseases in the face of pervasive antibiotic resistance. One Sentence SummarymRNA-encoded human monoclonal IgA traffics to mucosal tissues and provides protection against bacterial challenge

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

Variant SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines confer broad neutralization as primary or booster series in mice

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of a global pandemic. Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are now available, including mRNA-1273, which has shown 94% efficacy in prevention of symptomatic COVID-19 disease. However, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has led to concerns of viral escape from vaccine-induced immunity. Several variants have shown decreased susceptibility to neutralization by vaccine-induced immunity, most notably B.1.351 (Beta), although the overall impact on vaccine efficacy remains to be determined. Here, we present the initial evaluation in mice of 2 updated mRNA vaccines designed to target SARS-CoV-2 variants: (1) monovalent mRNA-1273.351 encodes for the spike protein found in B.1.351 and (2) mRNA-1273.211 comprising a 1:1 mix of mRNA-1273 and mRNA-1273.351. Both vaccines were evaluated as a 2-dose primary series in mice; mRNA-1273.351 was also evaluated as a booster dose in animals previously vaccinated with mRNA-1273. The results demonstrated that a primary vaccination series of mRNA-1273.351 was effective at increasing neutralizing antibody titers against B.1.351, while mRNA-1273.211 was effective at providing broad cross-variant neutralization. A third (booster) dose of mRNA-1273.351 significantly increased both wild-type and B.1.351-specific neutralization titers. Both mRNA-1273.351 and mRNA-1273.211 are being evaluated in pre-clinical challenge and clinical studies.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Development Enabled by Prototype Pathogen Preparedness

A SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is needed to control the global COVID-19 public health crisis. Atomic-level structures directed the application of prefusion-stabilizing mutations that improved expression and immunogenicity of betacoronavirus spike proteins. Using this established immunogen design, the release of SARS-CoV-2 sequences triggered immediate rapid manufacturing of an mRNA vaccine expressing the prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike trimer (mRNA-1273). Here, we show that mRNA-1273 induces both potent neutralizing antibody and CD8 T cell responses and protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection in lungs and noses of mice without evidence of immunopathology. mRNA-1273 is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial with a trajectory towards Phase 3 efficacy evaluation.

immunology↗