Lee, Yu-Sun Cheong, Mi Sun Lee, Jisun Bang, Eun-Kyoung Park, Sang In Park, Hyo-Jung Bae, Seo-Hyeon Youn, Sue Bean Roh, Gahyun Lee, Seonghyun Cho, Youngran Ha, Dahyeon Oh, Ayoung Lee, Soo-Yeon Choi, Eun-Jin Choi, Huijeong Jo, Sohee Lee, Yeeun Kim, Jungmin Kawk, Hye Won Bang, Yoo-Jin Lee, Dabin Shim, Heeyoun Park, Young K. Keum, Gyochang Nam, Jae-Hwan kim, Wonil 2024-11-15T16:30:06Z 2024-11-15T16:30:06Z 2024-11-13 2025-01 0264-410X https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/151084 Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes and often asymptomatic in most individuals. Infection during pregnancy can lead to severe birth defects such as congenital microcephaly, and currently, there is no approved vaccine for ZIKV. Several studies are investigating the development of ZIKV vaccine using DNA and RNA as well as recombinant protein technologies; however, the outcomes thus far have not been consistently noteworthy. In this study, we designed an mRNA vaccine for ZIKV and evaluated its immunogenicity using a mouse model. Our vaccine, termed 3xEIII, encodes a triple repeat of domain III from the ZIKV E protein. We effectively encapsulated the mRNA within lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), administered 3xEIII to mice via two intramuscular injections, and assessed the induced humoral and cellular immune responses. Specifically, the vaccine elicited neutralizing antibodies that effectively eliminated ZIKV from the organs of challenged mice. Notably, 3xEIII conferred both protective effects and long-term immunity. In subsequent challenges conducted 40 weeks after boosting, immunized mice experienced temporary weight loss but showed significantly reduced viral titers in target organs by the 9th day post-infection. Conclusively from these findings, 3xEIII stands out as a promising noteworthy mRNA vaccine candidate for Zika virus. English Elsevier BV Immunogenicity and Protection of a Triple Repeat Domain Iii Mrna Vaccine Against Zika Virus Article 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126518 1 Vaccine, v.43 Vaccine 43 N scie scopus 001360795700001 Immunology Medicine, Research & Experimental Immunology Research & Experimental Medicine Article IMMUNE-RESPONSES INFECTION TRANSMISSION BIOLOGY Zika virus mRNA Vaccine