Scientists Are Extremely Close to Creating One Vaccine For All Strains of the Same Virus | Weather.com

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Representational image of a vaccine

(KK Choudhary/BCCL Mumbai)

The coronavirus was one tough cookie to beat. Much like the mythological Hydra, if you managed to kill one of its variants, it only came back with a stronger and meaner version, which often required an entirely new type of intervention (read: booster doses) to slay. Such is the fight against viruses in general, and why we still haven't beaten the common cold, which has since mutated to 160 different strains now.

For this reason, coming up with a master vaccine that can eliminate all strains of the same family of viruses has seemed like a pipe dream ever since we started researching antivirals. However, scientists are pioneering a new vaccine platform that could do just that! And at the heart of this innovation lies one of the fundamental blocks of our cells: RNA.

For a refresher, RNAs are the intermediaries between the DNA and the protein-making process. Think of the DNA as a blueprint that tells you exactly how to make something, say, a house. The RNA copies the blueprint bit by bit and takes this message to centres with building materials, where the house can actually be constructed.

When a host is infected, their body produces small amounts of RNAs as an immune response to a viral infection. These fighters are called RNAis, and help kill the virus. To get around this setback, the viruses produce proteins that block the RNAi response.

The new technique attempts to manipulate the virus' protein-manufacturing process in their new vaccine. Unlike traditional vaccines, which rely on the body's immune response, this method activates RNAi, offering a novel approach to viral defense.

The scientists found that if you weaken the virus first, it hinders their ability to block RNAi.

"It (the virus) can replicate to some level, but then loses the battle to the host RNAi response. A virus weakened in this way can be used as a vaccine for boosting our RNAi immune system," explains study author Shouwei Ding.

This new method even addresses the everlong mutation problem too. While traditional vaccines focus on deactivating a specific part of the virus to destroy them, the new RNAi method targets their whole genome, meaning that it will work for any future mutated strains as well. Or as the study authors put it, "they cannot escape this".

Moreover, this platform presents a game-changer for vulnerable populations such as infants and individuals with compromised immune systems. By bypassing the need for traditional B and T cell immune responses, this vaccine holds promise for those typically ineligible for live vaccines.

Initial trials on mice, including genetically modified newborns devoid of B and T cells, have yielded promising results. A single injection provided robust protection against the Nodamura virus for an extended period, showcasing the platform's efficacy and potential longevity.

Looking ahead, the researchers aim to adapt this technology to tackle influenza, with plans for a nasal spray vaccine to alleviate needle-related concerns.

"Our next step is to use this same concept to generate a flu vaccine, so infants can be protected. If we are successful, they'll no longer have to depend on their mothers' antibodies," Ding notes.

While challenges remain, including extensive human trials and regulatory approvals, the prospect of universal protection against a spectrum of viruses looms tantalisingly close. With one shot, we could be looking to neutralise a multitude of human pathogens, including dengue, SARS and COVID.

The findings of this study have been published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and can be accessed here.

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