Tu164 - An mRNA Vaccine for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF)

Tanmayee Vagesna – Microbiology and Immunology – University of Illinois; Camar Ameril – Fulbright Visiting Student Researcher, Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois; Justin Richner – Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois; Ramaswamy Kalyanasundaram – Professor, Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois

Abstract Text: Lymphatic filariasis (LF), caused by thread-like parasites transmitted through mosquitoes, affects over 120 million people in 72 countries, leading to severe disability and lymphatic system impairments. Despite significant attempts to control the infection by preventative chemotherapy, over 856 million individuals remain at risk. There is currently no vaccine available to protect the vulnerable population. In our laboratory, a tetravalent recombinant fusion protein (BmHAXT) vaccine was developed for human lymphatic filariasis, which is currently moving towards clinical trials. However, the cost of manufacturing a protein vaccine is high, and in addition needs an adjuvant and a cold chain for storage as well as transportation, which adds to the cost. Addressing these challenges and given the recent success in mRNA SARS- Cov19 vaccine, in this study, we evaluated the potential of a BmHAXT mRNA vaccine in a mouse model. Our results show that following three doses of immunization with the mRNA vaccine, mouse developed significant antigen-specific IgG antibody titer and showed significant protection against a challenge infection, levels comparable to those of the recombinant fusion protein vaccine. Analysis of cellular immune responses showed that the mRNA vaccination also generated antigen-specific central memory T cells.