Vaccines containing subunit protein antigens are typically safer and easier to manufacture than whole pathogen vaccines but must be administered with an adjuvant to enhance the immune response. In a paper recently published in Science Advances, MIT researchers describe the use of a nanoscale, next-generation adjuvant to make vaccines more powerful.
In the mouse study, the researchers demonstrated that zeolitic imidazolate framework–8 (ZIF-8) could encapsulate and deliver part of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, acting as an adjuvant once broken down inside cells. While further research is needed to adapt these particles for vaccine use, the study highlights their potential in generating robust immune responses.
ZIF-8 consists of a lattice of tetrahedral units made up of a zinc ion attached to four molecules of imidazole, an organic compound. Previous work has shown that ZIF-8 can significantly boost immune responses, but it wasn’t known exactly how this particle activates the immune system.
The study's findings suggest a promising approach to vaccine design by utilizing nanoparticles that not only deliver antigens but also activate specific immune pathways, potentially enhancing vaccine efficacy. Developing subunit vaccines using such nanoparticles could offer advantages in terms of manufacturing ease and cost-effectiveness compared to mRNA vaccines, facilitating broader vaccine access during pandemics.