mRNA vaccines in the future may be able to prevent food, seasonal allergies

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital have developed a novel mRNA vaccine that prevented severe allergic reactions in mice by retraining the immune system to respond safely to allergens. The study suggests the platform could be developed to protect against food allergies, asthma and other chronic allergic conditions

An experimental messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine has prevented allergens from triggering dangerous immune responses and life-threatening inflammation in mouse models, according to researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The approach has shown promise as a potential platform to address a range of seasonal and food allergies.

“This is a potential breakthrough for millions of people worldwide who suffer from life-threatening allergies,” said Professor Drew Weissman, the Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research at the University of Pennsylvania, who co-led the study with Professor Marc E. Rothenberg, director of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Cincinnati Children’s.

Professor Weissman won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which he shared with Professor Katalin Karikó, for their pioneering work on nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. Their discoveries provided the platform for the Pfizer–BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

The research team, which included Dr Jilian Melamed, assistant professor of Infectious Diseases, and Dr Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh, assistant professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, modelled the vaccine on the design of coronavirus mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccines. However, instead of coding for viral antigens, the scientists adapted the mRNA to instruct cells to produce proteins that mimic allergens. This controlled exposure trained the immune system to mount a more measured response to those allergens in the future rather than to overreact.

When mice sensitised to particular allergens later encountered them, none of the vaccinated animals experienced allergic reactions. They displayed lower levels of allergy-related white blood cells, produced fewer pro-inflammatory proteins, and generated less mucus in their lungs. Their airways remained open and protected against constriction, and they produced specific antibodies that shielded against subsequent allergic responses.

Unlike conventional allergy immunotherapy, which involves repeated exposure to purified allergens over many months or years, this mRNA-based approach offers flexibility and speed. Because the encoded proteins can be customised, researchers suggest that the same vaccine platform could be tailored to treat a wide range of allergic conditions, from pollen sensitivity to food-related anaphylaxis and asthma. Many severe food allergies currently have no prophylactic options to prevent potentially fatal reactions.

“People with food allergies that can cause anaphylactic shock are rightfully fearful in social situations, eating out in public, sharing food, and engaging in other fun activities where there are food and allergens around,” said Weissman.

“Allowing people to partake in foods they were never able to eat would be incredibly rewarding, but I’ll even be happy if we can one day introduce a vaccine that allows parents to breathe just a little easier when sending their kids to class birthday parties,” he said.

The study provides proof of concept that mRNA vaccines can extend beyond infectious disease prevention to reprogramme immune responses in chronic immunological conditions such as allergies or coeliac disease. The researchers stated that the next steps will include assessing safety in human volunteers, determining how many allergens could be incorporated into a single formulation, and evaluating the duration of protection.

“We saw mRNA vaccines save lives during the pandemic, and as the most-tested type of vaccine in history, we know it’s the safest and most effective vaccine ever created. We are deeply committed to continuing to uncover the potential of this technology,” Weissman added.

For further reading please visit: 10.1172/JCI194080