INFLUENCE OF STRUCTURAL MODIFICATIONS IN SYNTHETIC VECTORS OF LIPID ADJUVANTS IN mRNA VACCINE DELIVERY.

Abstract

Lipid adjuvants act as a fundamental element in mRNA vaccine technology by acting as diverse functional parts: augmenting immune responses, assisting genetic payload delivery to target cells, and optimizing antigen presentation. They offer various advantages, such as particle stabilization, targeted delivery, refined endosomal escape mechanisms, and self-adjuvant characteristics that amplify immune activation. The structure of lipid adjuvants is not only important in optimizing the delivery precision but also in unlocking tunable immune responses, positioning lipid adjuvants as critical components of next-generation vaccines. Understanding the structural modifications of the lipid adjuvants is necessary for synthesizing novel adjuvants for superior immune responses in mRNA vaccines. To magnify the potency and safety of lipid adjuvants, researchers are investigating the fundamental aspects of designing an innovative lipid that leverages biodegradable linkages. This approach emphasizes the critical roles of numerous lipids, such as ionizable/cationic lipids, helper lipids, phospholipids, and PEGylated lipids, for enhancing the stability, targeting efficiency, and immune responses of mRNA vaccine delivery. Moreover, it investigates the structural changes of recently developed cationic/ionizable lipid adjuvants, highlighting how their structure impacts vaccine efficacy, especially linkers. Researchers are building up the possibilities for effective and focused vaccine platforms in mRNA vaccine technology by utilizing these developments.