Publications by authors named "L A Avena"
Article Synopsis
- Monovalent and bivalent COVID-19 vaccines containing the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant were approved for use during the 2023-2024 immunization season and are currently undergoing evaluation in a phase 2/3 study.
- Among participants who previously received previous vaccine doses, those who received the monovalent vaccine showed greater increases in neutralizing antibodies against various SARS-CoV-2 variants compared to those who received the bivalent vaccine.
- The results indicate that the XBB.1.5 mRNA vaccines generate strong immune responses against newer variants, validating the update of COVID-19 vaccines to include the XBB.1.5 spike protein.
Sci Transl Med
September 2023
Article Synopsis
- The study explores new mRNA vaccine strategies to enhance effectiveness against COVID-19, focusing on specific protein domains of the virus instead of the full-length spike protein.
- The candidate vaccine mRNA-1283, combining the N-terminal domain and receptor binding domain, shows better antigen expression, stronger antibody responses, and improved stability compared to existing vaccines.
- In animal tests, mRNA-1283 elicits equal or greater immune protection against various COVID-19 variants, supporting its advancement to clinical trials for further evaluation.
Article Synopsis
- * Researchers tested two new bivalent vaccines (mRNA-1273.214 and mRNA-1273.222) in mice and found they produced stronger antibody responses against Omicron variants compared to the original vaccine.
- * Administering these bivalent vaccines as boosters significantly improved immune protection and reduced lung infection severity in mice, highlighting their potential effectiveness against circulating strains.
Article Synopsis
- The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in the Omicron lineage has led to reduced vaccine effectiveness and ongoing virus transmission due to the spike protein's ability to evade antibodies.
- Researchers evaluated two bivalent vaccines that include mRNAs for spike proteins from both the original virus and recent variants (BA.1 or BA.4/5) and found they produced stronger immune responses in mice compared to existing monovalent vaccines.
- When used as a booster after initial vaccination, these bivalent vaccines not only generated a more robust antibody response but also provided greater protection against BA.5 infections and reduced inflammation in the lungs.
Article Synopsis
- Researchers developed a new mRNA vaccine, mRNA-1283, targeting specific spike protein domains of the virus responsible for COVID-19.
- This vaccine demonstrated enhanced antigen expression, antibody responses, and stability when stored in refrigerated conditions compared to the existing mRNA-1273 vaccine.
- In preclinical tests, mRNA-1283 provided similar or better immune protection against various COVID-19 variants in mice, indicating its potential for human clinical trials.
