The new mRNA vaccine shows complete protection against fatal plague bacteria

Israeli researchers have developed a new vaccine which is “100% effective” against a fatal bacteria for humans.

The announcement came from the University of Tel Aviv, which has teamed up with Israel Institute for Biological Research to create the ARNA -based vaccine, which is the first to protect against bacteria.

“In the study, we show that our mRNA vaccine offers 100% protection against pneumonic plague (a severe pulmonary infection), which is considered the most dangerous form of the disease,” said professor of the study, Professor Dan Peer, director of the Nanomedicine Precision Laboratory Tel Aviv, at Fox News Digital.

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“Yersinia Pestis, the causal agent of the plague, is considered a highly fatal infectious bacteria, against which there is no approved vaccine.”

This bacteria is so deadly, even in small doses, that it was classified as a “selected level 1 agent” by the CDC and is considered to be a “potential bioterror weapon”, according to Peer.

The author of Co-Study, Professor Dan Peer, on the left, is represented with Dr. Inbal Hazan-Halefy (Center) and doctoral student Shani Benarroch from Tel Aviv University. The team has developed a new vaccine which is “100% effective” against a fatal bacteria for humans. (University of Tel Aviv)

“Several natural natural epidemics have been recorded in recent years, indicating that Y. Pestis still presents a risk to the human population,” he noted.

The researchers have tested the new mRNA vaccine in animals infected with bacteria, said a press release from the university.

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“In one week, all unvaccinated animals died, while those who are vaccinated with our vaccine remained alive,” said the team, noting that one dose offered complete protection after two weeks.

The results were published in the journal Science Advances.

“Our mRNA vaccine offers 100% protection against pneumonic plague, which is considered the most dangerous form of the disease.”

Before this study, mRNA vaccines are only protected against viruses, such as COVVI-19, but not bacteria, according to Dr. Edo Kon of the University of Tel Aviv, who led the study.

“Until now, scientists have believed that mRNA vaccines against bacteria were biologically inaccessible,” Kon said in the announcement. “In our study, we have proven that it is in fact possible to develop mRNA vaccines which are 100% effective against fatal bacteria.”

Pneumonic plague (severe pulmonary infection) is caused by Yersinia Pestis, which is considered a very lethal infectious bacteria. (istock)

While vaccines for viruses trigger human cells to produce viral proteins, which then cause the immune system to protect itself from them, this same method was not effective for bacteria.

Instead, scientists have used a different method to release bacterial proteins that have managed to create a “significant immune response”.

“To improve the stability of the bacterial protein and ensure that it does not disintegrate too quickly inside the body, we have reinforced it with a section of human protein,” they wrote. “By combining the two revolutionary strategies, we have obtained a complete immune response.”

The objective is that this new technology accelerates vaccines for bacterial diseases, according to researchers. (istock)

Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Center de Center, a biotechnology company in San Francisco, reiterated the importance of the study.

“This is distinct from research in coronavirus, flu and cancer, which have so far led mRNA vaccine applications,” Glanville told the research team at Fox News Digital.

The study shows how mRNA technologies can be quickly applied to “new areas of threat”, he confirmed.

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“After returning from flames of rare mandates and side effects but certainly problematic linked to COVVI-19 initial vaccines, mRNA as a platform has been excessive to ensure that the next generation of emerging vaccines learned lessons from initial vaccines, and improved,” Glanville told Fox News Digital.

“This research shows yet another major field of application for technology.”

Potential limitations

The main limitation of the study, according to Peer, is that the effectiveness of the vaccine has been shown in mice.

“As with any preclinical study, it must be assessed in a clinical study in order to assess its effectiveness in humans,” he told Fox News Digital.

The main limitation of the study, according to the principal researcher (not shown), is that the effectiveness of the vaccine has been shown in mice. (istock)

In addition, the RNA experimental vaccine is based on the “Lipid Nanoparticles (LNP) platform” which has been recently approved for COVVI-19 vaccines, noted Peer, which requires “the logistics of the cold chain” (a supply chain that uses refrigeration).

“Nevertheless, in -depth studies are carried out in our laboratory, focusing on the optimization of the formulation of lipids which will allow storage at room temperature,” added the researcher.

Ahead

The objective is that this new technology accelerates vaccines for bacterial diseases, according to researchers. This could be particularly beneficial for pathogenic (leading disease) and antibiotic -resistant bacteria.

“If tomorrow we are faced with a kind of bacterial pandemic, our study will provide a path to quickly develop safe and effective mRNA vaccines.”

“Due to the excessive use of antibiotics in recent decades, many bacteria have developed antibiotic resistance, reducing the effectiveness of these important drugs,” said Peer.

“Consequently, antibiotic -resistant bacteria already represent a real threat to human health worldwide. Developing a new type of vaccine can provide a response to this global problem.”

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As Peer pointed out, the rapid development of the COVVI-19 vaccine was based on years of research on mRNA for similar viruses.

“If tomorrow we are faced with a kind of bacterial pandemic, our study will provide a path to quickly develop safe and effective mRNA vaccines.”

The objective is that this new technology accelerates vaccines for bacterial diseases, according to researchers. (istock)

As it was a preclinical study of proof of concept, Peer noted that several major stages must still be amazed before this vaccine can be envisaged for commercial deployment.

However, he thinks that in an emergency situation, the vaccine could be extended and prepared in a “relatively short time”.

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Peer concluded: “Beyond the threat of plague epidemics and potential bioterrorism, this study opens the door to the development of mRNA vaccines against other antibiotic bacteria, offering a new powerful strategy to combat the increase in antimicrobial resistance and improve pandemic world preparation.”

The study was supported by the European Research Council, the Israeli Biological Research Institute and the Foundation of the Shmunis family.