WashU Medicine researchers demonstrate enhanced immune response with mRNA flu vaccine
A collaborative study by Washington University scientists reveals that Moderna's investigational mRNA influenza vaccine elicits stronger immune responses than traditional vaccines, including higher antibody levels and memory B cells, with sustained germinal center activity.
A group of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis scientists and their collaborators have tested Moderna’s investigational mRNA influenza vaccine. Favorable findings from their study are reported in a press release.
There are currently no U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved influenza vaccines that use mRNA. Building on previous findings from Moderna, the researchers compared adults’ immune responses to the mRNA and standard vaccines during two flu seasons. Each vaccine “targeted the same strains recommended by the World Health Organization for the two flu seasons.”
The mRNA immunization generated higher immune responses, according to the study. Additionally, “those given the mRNA vaccine produced more flu-specific antibodies and more flu-specific memory B cells.” Some participants that received the mRNA “developed flu-specific germinal center responses in the lymph nodes.” These responses lasted the rest of the study period.
