Work

Efficacy and immunological correlates of an mRNA-LNP vaccine for protection against an emerging rickettsial pathogen

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: A rickettsial pathogen Ehrlichia chaffeensis causes emerging tick-borne disease called human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME). E. chaffeensis in ticks expresses a porin OMP-1B, the immunodominant major outer membrane protein, which is required for nutrient uptake across outer membrane of bacteria. We developed an OMP-1B-encoding mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (hereafter OMP-1B mRNA-LNP) vaccine. Immunization of naïve mice with OMP-1B mRNA-LNP showed significant protection against E. chaffeensis infection following challenge with E. chaffeensis-infected tick cells. Following vaccination, increased OMP-1B-specific serum IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a titers, and E. chaffeensis infection–neutralizing antibodies were detected. An ELISpot assay revealed significant increase in OMP-1B-specific IFN-γ-secreting cells in the blood and spleen samples from mice vaccinated with OMP-1B mRNA-LNP. Flow cytometry analysis of spleen samples showed OMP-1B antigen–specific IFN-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and granzyme B-producing cytotoxic CD8+ T cells were significantly increased in the vaccinated mice. Our results demonstrate that an mRNA vaccine targeting OMP-1B conferred protection against E. chaffeensis infection, with significant humoral immune responses including infection–neutralizing antibodies, balanced Th1/Th2 response, and antigen-specific T helper and cytotoxic T cell activation. These data suggest mRNA-LNP approach is a viable strategy for developing efficient anti-rickettsial vaccines.

Source: Emerging Microbes & Infections

DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2026.2645860