This study was published in Nature on Dec 13. 

In recent years, researchers have made significant progress in developing vaccines for infectious respiratory diseases. However, most of these vaccines are administered through intramuscular injection, which primarily induces a humoral immune response and relies on blood antibodies to neutralize the virus. Unfortunately, this approach fails to trigger a mucosal immune response and establish a robust immune barrier in the respiratory tract.  

Moreover, adjuvants commonly used in current vaccines, e.g., aluminum adjuvants, are unable to induce cellular immune responses and are ineffective in combating rapid viral mutations. Additionally, the current liquid form of vaccines necessitates strict low-temperature storage conditions, and the two- or three-dose vaccination schedule also impacts the overall vaccination rate. 

To address these problems, interdisciplinary integration and innovative research concepts are needed to develop safer and more efficient vaccines for respiratory infections. 

Taking this approach, Prof. WEI Wei and Prof. MA Guanghui, at IPE, in cross-disciplinary collaboration with Prof. WANG Hengliang and Prof. ZHU Li, from the State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, have developed a new vaccine platform to tackle these challenges.  

This platform combines biodegradable microspheres with protein nanoparticles. The surface of these nanoparticles can simultaneously display multiple antigens, thus inducing a broad-spectrum immune response and expanding the range of vaccine protection. It also allows for the quick and convenient development of other respiratory virus vaccines due to the flexibility of antigen presentation. 

Moreover, the platform’s unique nano-micro composite structure enables an efficient immune response in the lungs by facilitating high-performance delivery. Once the antigen-nanoparticles are released, they can be efficiently taken up by antigen-presenting cells.  

Additionally, this dry powder vaccine significantly reduces storage and transportation costs, making it suitable for areas with limited refrigeration facilities, thus improving immunization rates. 

Furthermore, the sustained release of antigens in the vaccine induces long-lasting humoral, cellular, and mucosal immunity with just a single inhalation. In later cooperation with Prof. HE Zhanlong of the Institute of Medical Biology of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, the researchers developed a model of airborne protection, close contact protection, and airborne transmission blocking, which described the benefits of inhaled vaccine for preventing the virus infection and transmission. 

"The components of this nano-micro system used natural proteins and approved polymer materials, and the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine have been systematically studied in non-human primates, indicating its great potential for clinical translation,” said Prof. WEI Wei. 

Construction of single-dose, dry powder inhalation vaccine  (Image by MA Guanghui’s group)