Kinetically activating nanovaccine mimicking multidimensional immunomodulation of natural infection for broad protection against heterologous viruses in animal models

Nat Commun. 2025 Mar 25;16(1):2914. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-58006-y.

Abstract

Immunity by vaccination can protect human against heterologous viruses. However, protective abilities of artificial vaccines are still weaker than natural infections. Here we develop a kinetically engineered vaccine (KE-VAC) that mimics the multidimensional immunomodulation in natural infections via dynamic activation of antigen presenting cells with masked TLR7/8 agonist and sustained supplies of antigens and adjuvants to lymph nodes, leading to follicular helper T and germinal centre B cell activation in vaccinated mice. KE-VAC demonstrates superior efficacy than traditional alum and mRNA vaccines, achieving a 100% survival rate with increased neutralizing antibodies titers and polyfunctional CD8+ T cells, recognizing heterologous SARS-CoV-2 variants, and inducing broad and long-term protection against multiple strains of influenza viruses. Prime/boost vaccination with KE-VAC also protect aged ferrets from severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus infection, with no virus detected in any organs at day 6 p.i. The efficacy of KE-VAC across various pathogens thus highlights its potential as an effective vaccine against emerging infectious risks.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / administration & dosage
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / immunology
  • COVID-19* / immunology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Ferrets
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation* / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Nanovaccines
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / immunology
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control
  • SARS-CoV-2* / immunology
  • Vaccination / methods

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Nanovaccines