Nasal vaccine against HIV and COVID-19 tested on animals

It’s been clear for some time that new vaccination strategies are needed to combat HIV epidemic, as well as other virus that target our mucous membranes. Immunisation, via the surfaces of the respiratory tract, is effective in stimulating immunity experts believe. But there is also a limiting factor - the weak absorption of vaccines through mucus and epithelium. The article was published in the journal Science.

How would the new vaccine work?

Intranasal vaccines contain protein immungens modified by lipids, which form amph proteins. This compound increases the degree of absorption of the vaccine through the nasal mucosa - which ultimately stimulates the mucous membranes and systemic immunity in the fight against viral diseases, including HIV and COVID-19.

"One of the key advantages of this strategy is the high probability that a greater concentration of antigens will reach the mucous membrane," the researchers say.

Testing has shown that amph proteins are preserved in the mucous membrane of the noses of mice and non-human primates, and are actively absorbed by the tissue. This leads to increased immune responses.

According to the researchers, intranasal immunisation with amph-conjugated proteins caused 100 to 1000 times higher titers of antigen-specific IgG and IgA in serum, respiratory mucosa and distal parts of the genitourinary system in animals - when compared to unmodified proteins.

"These results indicate that the use of ampha protein vaccines to deliver antigen through the mucous membrane epithelium is a promising strategy to improve mucous immunity against HIV, SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious diseases," said the authors of the study.

Further testing in this area will continue, says the report.