DNA lipid nanoparticle PyCSP vaccine

DNA lipid nanoparticle PyCSP vaccine is a preclinical pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine candidate developed by the University of Washington and Johns Hopkins University. It is designed as a liver-targeted trapping vaccine within a 'prime-and-trap' vaccination strategy. The vaccine consists of plasmid DNA encoding the Plasmodium yoelii circumsporozoite protein (PyCSP) encapsulated in liver-targeting lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). In preclinical rodent models, priming with gene gun PyCSP DNA followed by trapping with the DNA LNP vaccine successfully transfects hepatocytes, induces high frequencies of CSP-specific CD8+ liver-resident memory T (Trm) cells, and provides sterile protection against P. yoelii sporozoite challenge. This wholly synthetic approach aims to replace the need for radiation-attenuated sporozoites (RAS) in prime-and-trap regimens, offering a more scalable and manufacturable solution for malaria prevention.

Other names

plasmid DNA lipid nanoparticle PyCSP vaccinePyCSP DNA LNP vaccinePyCSP DNA-LNP vaccine