tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Virol J
. 2025 May 24;22(1):159.
doi: 10.1186/s12985-025-02787-7. Evaluation of broad-spectrum protection by novel mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants (Delta, Omicron-BA.5, XBB-EG.5) in the golden hamster model
Tong Yu[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], JunHong Xing[SUP] 3 4 [/SUP], XinYu Zhuang[SUP] 5 [/SUP], MingYao Tian[SUP] 6 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has continuously evolved, with new variants like Delta, Omicron-BA.5, and XBB-EG.5 posing challenges to vaccine efficacy. mRNA vaccines have emerged as a promising tool due to their rapid development and adaptability. This study evaluates the protective efficacy of six novel mRNA vaccine candidates against these variants using a golden hamster model.
Methods: Six mRNA vaccines were designed, targeting the spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins of SARS-CoV-2. The vaccines were tested on golden hamsters, which were immunized and then challenged with Delta, Omicron-BA.5, and XBB-EG.5 variants. Key outcomes measured included body weight, viral RNA loads in various tissues, cytokine levels, and lung tissue pathology.
Results: Hamsters vaccinated with the novel mRNA vaccines showed reduced weight loss, lower viral RNA loads in throat swabs and lung tissues, and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to control groups. Additionally, vaccinated animals exhibited significantly less lung damage as evidenced by both histological and immunofluorescence analyses, especially in groups vaccinated with RBD-Fe, RE-N, and COVID-19 epitope formulations.
Conclusions: These mRNA vaccines demonstrated broad protective efficacy against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants. They elicited immune responses, reduced viral RNA loads, and mitigated inflammatory and pathological damage, highlighting their potential in combating rapidly evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Keywords: Delta; Omicron-BA.5; SARS-CoV-2; XBB-EG.5; mRNA vaccine.
. 2025 May 24;22(1):159.
doi: 10.1186/s12985-025-02787-7. Evaluation of broad-spectrum protection by novel mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants (Delta, Omicron-BA.5, XBB-EG.5) in the golden hamster model
Tong Yu[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], JunHong Xing[SUP] 3 4 [/SUP], XinYu Zhuang[SUP] 5 [/SUP], MingYao Tian[SUP] 6 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 40410742
- PMCID: PMC12102927
- DOI: 10.1186/s12985-025-02787-7
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has continuously evolved, with new variants like Delta, Omicron-BA.5, and XBB-EG.5 posing challenges to vaccine efficacy. mRNA vaccines have emerged as a promising tool due to their rapid development and adaptability. This study evaluates the protective efficacy of six novel mRNA vaccine candidates against these variants using a golden hamster model.
Methods: Six mRNA vaccines were designed, targeting the spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins of SARS-CoV-2. The vaccines were tested on golden hamsters, which were immunized and then challenged with Delta, Omicron-BA.5, and XBB-EG.5 variants. Key outcomes measured included body weight, viral RNA loads in various tissues, cytokine levels, and lung tissue pathology.
Results: Hamsters vaccinated with the novel mRNA vaccines showed reduced weight loss, lower viral RNA loads in throat swabs and lung tissues, and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to control groups. Additionally, vaccinated animals exhibited significantly less lung damage as evidenced by both histological and immunofluorescence analyses, especially in groups vaccinated with RBD-Fe, RE-N, and COVID-19 epitope formulations.
Conclusions: These mRNA vaccines demonstrated broad protective efficacy against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants. They elicited immune responses, reduced viral RNA loads, and mitigated inflammatory and pathological damage, highlighting their potential in combating rapidly evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Keywords: Delta; Omicron-BA.5; SARS-CoV-2; XBB-EG.5; mRNA vaccine.