Electrospun mucoadhesive matrices for polymersome-mediated mRNA vaccine delivery

用于聚合物囊泡介导的 mRNA 疫苗递送的电纺粘膜粘附基质

• 批准号: BB/Y007514/1
• 负责人: Helen Colley
• 金额: $ 181.91万
• 依托单位: University of Sheffield
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2024 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=BB%2FY007514%2F1
• 关键词: Electrospun; mucoadhesive; matrices; polymersome; mediated

Immunisation is of utmost importance for global health, as it plays a crucial role in preventing millions of deaths worldwide each year. It has proven highly effective in the prevention and, in some cases, near-eradication of life-threatening diseases like polio, measles, and whooping cough. The emergence of the coronavirus pandemic accelerated the development of vaccines, with messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccines pioneered by companies such as Moderna and BioNTech leading the way in combating COVID-19. This breakthrough in vaccine development has opened up new possibilities for preventing the spread of other diseases that were previously very difficult to address. However, mRNA vaccines come with specific challenges. Current mRNA vaccines necessitate strict cold storage conditions, which pose difficulties in terms of storage, transportation, and quality control. They are administered by injection that requires access to sterilised equipment as well as trained healthcare professionals such as nurses and doctors. Many of these requirements are not available in parts of the world where vaccines are most needed. Furthermore, offering alternative methods of vaccine administration that do not involve injections would enable individuals with needle phobias to receive vaccinations.To address these challenges, our goal is to transform vaccine delivery by developing an mRNA vaccine loaded within a patch that can be deployed safely to soft tissues in the mouth. This innovative technology involves enclosing the mRNA within tiny synthetic polymer capsules that provide protection and stability. These polymer capsules are delivered from microfibers that make up the mesh of the patch, and allow for storage at ambient temperature, simplifying transportation and storage logistics.To administer the vaccine, the patch may be pressed against the surface of the inside of the cheek. Upon contact with saliva, the microfibers within the patch gel, facilitating its adhesion while simultaneously releasing the polymer capsules containing the mRNA. These polymer capsules then penetrate the cheek tissue, delivering the mRNA to immune cells residing within it. Once the immune cells uptake the mRNA, they become activated, triggering an immune response by generating T-cells and producing antibodies that protect against the targeted disease. In addition to transforming vaccine delivery, a further aim is to develop more efficient manufacturing methods for these vaccine-containing patches, ultimately reducing production costs. The creation of these patches would benefit numerous individuals. By providing a needle-free, self-administered vaccine option that can be stored at ambient temperature, our technology has the potential to improve vaccine accessibility, especially for underserved populations in remote regions. Furthermore, it offers a more convenient and accessible immunisation method for individuals who experience needle-phobia.

免疫接种对全球健康至关重要，因为它在防止全球每年数百万人死亡方面发挥着至关重要的作用。事实证明，它在预防和在某些情况下几乎根除危及生命的疾病（如脊髓灰质炎、麻疹和百日咳）方面非常有效。冠状病毒大流行的出现加速了疫苗的开发，Moderna和BioNTech等公司率先开发的基于信使RNA（mRNA）的疫苗在抗击COVID-19方面处于领先地位。疫苗开发的这一突破为预防以前很难解决的其他疾病的传播开辟了新的可能性。然而，mRNA疫苗面临着特定的挑战。目前的mRNA疫苗需要严格的冷藏条件，这在储存、运输和质量控制方面造成了困难。它们通过注射给药，需要使用消毒设备以及训练有素的医疗保健专业人员，如护士和医生。在世界上最需要疫苗的地区，这些要求中有许多是不具备的。此外，提供不涉及注射的替代疫苗接种方法将使患有针头恐惧症的人能够接受疫苗接种。为了应对这些挑战，我们的目标是通过开发一种可以安全地部署到口腔软组织中的贴片中的mRNA疫苗来改变疫苗的递送。这项创新技术将mRNA封装在微小的合成聚合物胶囊中，提供保护和稳定性。这些聚合物胶囊由构成贴片网格的微纤维递送，并允许在环境温度下储存，简化了运输和储存物流。为了接种疫苗，贴片可以压在脸颊内侧的表面上。在与唾液接触时，贴片内的微纤维凝胶，促进其粘附，同时释放含有mRNA的聚合物胶囊。这些聚合物胶囊然后穿透脸颊组织，将mRNA递送到驻留在其中的免疫细胞。一旦免疫细胞摄取mRNA，它们就会被激活，通过产生T细胞和产生抗体来触发免疫应答，从而保护免受靶向疾病的侵害。除了改变疫苗的输送方式，另一个目标是为这些含疫苗的贴片开发更有效的制造方法，最终降低生产成本。这些补丁的创建将使许多人受益。通过提供可在环境温度下储存的无针、自我接种疫苗选择，我们的技术有可能提高疫苗的可及性，特别是对于偏远地区服务不足的人群。此外，它为经历针头恐惧症的个人提供了更方便和更容易获得的免疫方法。