Figures & data
Figure 1. Infectiveness and mortality from infections, including SARS-CoV-2 strains [Citation5,Citation6] .
![Figure 1. Infectiveness and mortality from infections, including SARS-CoV-2 strains [Citation5,Citation6] .](/cms/asset/99329e4a-ac4e-4aeb-9652-c626e32d0139/ierv_a_2089121_f0001_oc.jpg)
Figure 2. mRNA in vitro transcription and innate immunity activation. (A) mRNA in vitro transcription. Using DNA with the antigen-encoding sequence as a template, mRNA in vitro transcription products contain single-stranded RNA (ssRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), etc. The ssRNA structure typically includes a five-prime cap (5’ cap), a five-prime untranslated region (5’ UTR), an open reading frame (ORF) region, a three-prime untranslated region (3’ UTR) and a poly (A) tail structure. (B) RNA translation and antigen presentation. Through endocytosis, mRNAs enter the cytoplasm. Some mRNAs combine with ribosomes of the host cell and translate successfully. Antigen proteins can be degraded to antigenic peptides by the proteasome in the cytoplasm and presented to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) via the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I pathway. Or, they can be released out of the host cell and taken up by DCs. Then, they are degraded and presented to helper T cells and B cells via the MHC-II pathway. B cells can also recognize released antigen proteins. (C) Self-adjuvant effect. Various pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) can recognize mRNA in vitro transcription products. Endosomal innate immune receptors can recognize ssRNA (e.g. Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), TLR8). Endosomal innate immune receptors can recognize dsRNA (e.g. TLR3) and cytoplasmic innate immune receptors (e.g. protein kinase RNA-activated (PKR), a retinoic acid-inducible gene I protein (RIG-I), and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5), and 2’-5’-oligoadenylate synthase (OAS). Based on those, mRNA products can stimulate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and type I interferon (IFN), leading to activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and inflammatory reaction. However, they can also activate antiviral enzymes that cause stalled mRNA translation and mRNA degradation [Citation8]. [Under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license] .
![Figure 2. mRNA in vitro transcription and innate immunity activation. (A) mRNA in vitro transcription. Using DNA with the antigen-encoding sequence as a template, mRNA in vitro transcription products contain single-stranded RNA (ssRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), etc. The ssRNA structure typically includes a five-prime cap (5’ cap), a five-prime untranslated region (5’ UTR), an open reading frame (ORF) region, a three-prime untranslated region (3’ UTR) and a poly (A) tail structure. (B) RNA translation and antigen presentation. Through endocytosis, mRNAs enter the cytoplasm. Some mRNAs combine with ribosomes of the host cell and translate successfully. Antigen proteins can be degraded to antigenic peptides by the proteasome in the cytoplasm and presented to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) via the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I pathway. Or, they can be released out of the host cell and taken up by DCs. Then, they are degraded and presented to helper T cells and B cells via the MHC-II pathway. B cells can also recognize released antigen proteins. (C) Self-adjuvant effect. Various pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) can recognize mRNA in vitro transcription products. Endosomal innate immune receptors can recognize ssRNA (e.g. Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), TLR8). Endosomal innate immune receptors can recognize dsRNA (e.g. TLR3) and cytoplasmic innate immune receptors (e.g. protein kinase RNA-activated (PKR), a retinoic acid-inducible gene I protein (RIG-I), and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5), and 2’-5’-oligoadenylate synthase (OAS). Based on those, mRNA products can stimulate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and type I interferon (IFN), leading to activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and inflammatory reaction. However, they can also activate antiviral enzymes that cause stalled mRNA translation and mRNA degradation [Citation8]. [Under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license] .](/cms/asset/284d9cdd-b058-4de3-8128-1ed230c4e740/ierv_a_2089121_f0002_oc.jpg)
Figure 3. Process flow of mRNA vaccine manufacturing. With permission [Citation28] .
![Figure 3. Process flow of mRNA vaccine manufacturing. With permission [Citation28] .](/cms/asset/7f5fe1dd-c568-4eed-ba7d-5e24b44ea4e2/ierv_a_2089121_f0003_oc.jpg)
Table 1. The SARS-Cov-2 virus surface protein sequence and the modified sequence (shown in BOLD) translated into the three mRNA vaccines
Table 2. BioNTech-Pfizer Vaccine Structure and Modifications (mRNA Sequence (4284) (Uridine is replaced with Ψ = 1-methyl-3’-pseudouridylyl) [Citation26]
Table 3. Sequence of BioNTech-Pfizer mRNA Vaccine (Uridine is replaced with Ψ = 1-methyl-3’-pseudouridylyl) [Citation26]
Table 4. Lipid nanoparticle formulation of mRNA vaccines