Principles for optimization and validation of mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccines against COVID-19 using 3D bioprinting

Massimiliano Papi; Daniela Pozzi; Valentina Palmieri; Giulio Caracciolo

doi:10.1016/j.nantod.2022.101403

Principles for optimization and validation of mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccines against COVID-19 using 3D bioprinting

Nano Today. 2022 Apr:43:101403. doi: 10.1016/j.nantod.2022.101403. Epub 2022 Jan 21.

Authors

Massimiliano Papi¹, Daniela Pozzi², Valentina Palmieri³, Giulio Caracciolo²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, L.go Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.
² Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy.
³ Institute for Complex Systems, National Research Council of Italy, Via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Rome, Italy.

Abstract

BioNTech/Pfizer's Comirnaty and Moderna's SpikeVax vaccines consist in mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The modularity of the delivery platform and the manufacturing possibilities provided by microfluidics let them look like an instant success, but they are the product of decades of intense research. There is a multitude of considerations to be made when designing an optimal mRNA-LNPs vaccine. Herein, we provide a brief overview of what is presently known and what still requires investigation to optimize mRNA LNPs vaccines. Lastly, we give our perspective on the engineering of 3D bioprinted validation systems that will allow faster, cheaper, and more predictive vaccine testing in the future compared with animal models.

Keywords: Administration route; Bioprinting; COVID-19; Lipid nanoparticles; Vaccines; mRNA.