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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.04.01.019877

Leveraging mRNAs sequences to express SARS-CoV-2 antigens in vivo

Zeng, C.·Hou, X.·Yan, J.·Zhang, C.·Li, W.·Zhao, W.·Du, S.·Dong, Y.
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Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly become a pandemic worldwide; therefore, an effective vaccine is urgently needed. Recently, messenger RNAs (mRNAs) have emerged as a promising platform for vaccination. Here, we systematically investigated the untranslated regions (UTRs) of mRNAs in order to enhance protein production. Through a comprehensive analysis of endogenous gene expression and de novo design of UTRs, we identified the optimal combination of 5 and 3 UTR, termed as NASAR, which was five to ten-fold more efficient than the tested endogenous UTRs. More importantly, NASAR mRNAs delivered by lipid-derived nanoparticles showed dramatic expression of potential SARS-CoV-2 antigens both in vitro and in vivo. These NASAR mRNAs merit further development as alternative SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

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Zeng, C., Hou, X., Yan, J., Zhang, C., Li, W., Zhao, W., Du, S., Dong, Y.. 2020-04-05. Leveraging mRNAs sequences to express SARS-CoV-2 antigens in vivo. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.01.019877

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