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Historically, it has been challenging to create mRNA vaccines for bacterial infections.
By Shuila Rosen
In a scientific breakthrough, Israeli researchers have leveraged the technology from the COVID-19 vaccine to create the first mRNA vaccine targeting bacteria that may be resistant to other methods.
Scientists from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) have developed the world’s first mRNA vaccine that targets and kills certain types of antibiotic-resistant microbes, marking a significant step forward in treating potentially fatal bacterial diseases.
The project was led by Prof. Dan Peer, vice president for research and development at Tel Aviv University and director of the Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine.
Peer worked alongside Dr. Uri Elia, Dr. Yinon Levy, Dr. Emmy Mamroud, and Dr. Ofer Cohen from the IIBR, as well as members of his lab, including Dr. Edo Kon, Dr. Inbal Hazan-Halevy, and doctoral student Shani Benarroch. Their findings were published on the cover of Advanced Science.
Unlike viruses, bacteria do not rely on human cells for replication; instead, they produce their own proteins.
This difference has historically made it challenging to create mRNA vaccines for bacterial infections.
However, in 2023, the research team pioneered a method for getting human cells to produce a bacterial protein in a form recognizable by the immune system, effectively training the body to fight the pathogen.
The vaccine targets Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for bubonic and pneumonic plague.
While previous research focused on plague transmitted via the skin, the new vaccine aims at the airborne pneumonic strain, which is harder to treat and can spread between humans.
By using two bacterial proteins (antigens), the vaccine achieved 100 percent protection in preclinical trials after just two doses.
“The success of this study opens a path to develop mRNA vaccines against other dangerous bacteria,” said Peer.
Elia added, “Plague remains a threat today and could be weaponized as a tool of bioterrorism. There’s currently no approved vaccine for it in the West. This development helps ensure we’re better prepared.
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