An experimental HIV vaccine, based on mRNA, is reportedly safe for animals such as mice and non-human primates, according to a study by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is part of the National Institute of Health.
The peer-reviewed study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, states that the vaccine prompted the desired antibody and cellular immune responses against an HIV-like virus.
The mRNA-based HIV vaccine is the same platform technology used in COVID-19 vaccines.
“This experimental mRNA vaccine combines several features that may overcome shortcomings of other experimental HIV vaccines and thus represents a promising approach,” said NIAID Director Anthony Fauci, who also co-authored the study.
The vaccine delivers instructions to making Env and Gag. muscle cells, which are two key HIV proteins.
Two injections of the mRNA vaccine induce neutralizing antibodies in studies with mice, which led to the conclusion that it can induce neutralizing antibodies in all animals.