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MOF vaccines could ease concerns of breaking cold chain
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Researchers are developing metal-organic framework, or MOF, vaccines that would freeze proteins inside vaccines, keeping them active longer in warmer environments.
In a news release, Jeremiah Gassensmith, PhD, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Texas at Dallas, described MOF vaccines as “crystals that contain an antigen like the protein on the surface of influenza, except they’re frozen inside a crystalline lattice, so they can’t denature or change shape.”
This structural advantage allows them to perform better at room temperature, easing concerns associated with vaccines when they are exposed to room temperature conditions or heat.
Officials had to overcome this challenge recently as they prepared for a first-of-its-kind vaccination campaign to contain an Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Among the many concerns in trying to contain the spread, was the fact that the vaccine would need to be transported through areas with few paved roads and little electricity, factors that would complicate vaccine delivery and transport. The vaccine, which was deemed to be 100% effective at preventing infection in a major trial conducted in Guinea during the West African Ebola epidemic, needs to be stored at temperatures between –60°C (–140°F) and –80°C (–176°F) to maintain its effectiveness, a complicated task for an area with little electricity.
In addition to having the potential to solve temperature-related problems, MOFs are stable in many solvents, including water, but are dissolvable in low-pH environments such as human skin, according to the release. The proteins in MOF vaccines dissolve once injected in humans, an innovation that could help transport and administer vaccines in remote areas without reliable power, according to the release.
“We have tested them as a proof of principle by using a plant virus,” Gassensmith told Infectious Disease News. “Our preliminary works show that we can thermally protect the plant virus and injecting it into mice still raises antibodies.”
Gassensmith and colleagues chose this method of testing because plant viruses are safe to handle for early testing, but Gassensmith said they are moving toward influenza testing.
The hope is to create MOF vaccines that could target other diseases, like malaria and more.
“We can do more than malaria,” he said. “We are very interested in Ebola but not so enthusiastic about getting our hands on a live virus — perhaps down the road.” – by Caitlyn Stulpin.
Reference:
Gassensmith J, et al. MOF vaccines — Decreasing the dependency on refrigerated transport. Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American Crystallographic Association; July 20-24, 2018; Toronto.
Disclosures: Infectious Disease News was unable to confirm related financial disclosures at the time of publication.