Self-Amplifying RNA Vaccine Candidates: Alternative Platforms for mRNA Vaccine Development

Christin Schmidt; Barbara S Schnierle

doi:10.3390/pathogens12010138

Self-Amplifying RNA Vaccine Candidates: Alternative Platforms for mRNA Vaccine Development

Pathogens. 2023 Jan 13;12(1):138. doi: 10.3390/pathogens12010138.

Authors

Christin Schmidt¹, Barbara S Schnierle¹

Affiliation

¹ Section AIDS and Newly Emerging Pathogens, Department of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany.

Abstract

The present use of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 has shown for the first time the potential of mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases. Here we will summarize the current knowledge about improved mRNA vaccines, i.e., the self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) vaccines. This approach may enhance antigen expression by amplification of the antigen-encoding RNA. RNA design, RNA delivery, and the innate immune responses induced by RNA will be reviewed.

Keywords: alphavirus; innate immunity; mRNA; self-amplifying RNA; vaccine.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.