SHORT NOTES ON: Antonio Vitiello and Francesco Frerrara, Brief review of the mRNA vaccines COVID-19, Inflammopharmacology. 2021; 29(3):645-649
OBJECTIVE OF THE ARTICLE
The authors briefly describe mRNA vaccines and highlight some aspects yet to be fully defined.
CONTENT
BACKGROUND
In November 2019, a RNA Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in China, it causes a severe acute respiratory syndrome (COVID-19).
On January 30, 2020, WHO declared COVID-19 a global public health emergency.
On March 11, 2020, WHO declared global pandemic status SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
In 2021, data record approximately 106 million infected individuals and 2.32 million deaths due to COVID-19, worldwide (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novelcoronavirus2019/situation-reports) (WHO 2021).
COVID-19, clinical symptoms and treatments (2020)
The main mode of transmission COVID-19 is human-to-human through inhalation of droplets generated by coughing and sneezing of positive patients.
In most cases, SARS-CoV-2 infection has an asymptomatic or mild symptoms, common symptoms include: elevated body temperature, fatigue, cough, and loss of the sense of smell. However, it could be fatal for those with pre-existing conditions.
In 2020, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral agents were used to treat the disease.
The antivirals Remdesivir and Lopinavir/Ritonavir have shown anti-COVID-19 efficacy in some studies.
Immunomodulators, such as Tocilizumab, colchicine, eculizumab, and dexamethasone, have been used to reduce the generalized hyper-inflammatory state caused by cytokine storm.
Monoclonal antibodies such as Casirivimab, Imdevimab, Bamlanivimab which are able to inhibit viral entry into host cells and were used in patients at high risk of being hospitalized and with severe complications.Vaccines mRNA against COVID-19 (2021)
The COVID-19 vaccines are based on either one of these technologies: messenger RNA (mRNA), viral vector, DNA vaccine, protein subunit, and virus inactivated immunizations.
The mRNA vaccines have several advantages over most traditional vaccines, particularly its development and manufacturing costs.These advantages allow the mRNA vaccines available in market shortly after the declaration of the global pandemic status.
The authors state that "In COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, the mRNA molecule is encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles, which facilitate mRNA uptake and endocellular penetration which appear to protect against degradation." in their review article.
They further explain, "The vaccine mRNA is delivered at the level of the muscle deltoid, the encapsulated mRNA enters the muscle cells, transits into the cytosol, and the ribosomes perform cellular translation producing the spike protein (S), which when released into the circulation stimulates the immune response. The spike protein (S) is critical for endocellular entry of SARS-CoV-2, It is also responsible for the induction of neutralizing antibodies."
For details, please review the article:
Antonio Vitiello and Francesco Frerrara, Brief review of the mRNA vaccines COVID-19, Inflammopharmacology. 2021; 29(3):645-649
