Here is a possible essay with full citations on the topic of how RNA based vaccines work:


RNA based vaccines are a new type of vaccine that use messenger RNA (mRNA) to instruct cells to produce a specific protein that can trigger an immune response. Unlike traditional vaccines that introduce a weakened or inactivated form of a pathogen or its antigen, RNA based vaccines do not contain any part of the pathogen, but only the genetic code for the antigen. This reduces the risk of adverse reactions and allows for faster and cheaper production of vaccines.


The basic principle of RNA based vaccines is to deliver mRNA molecules that encode the antigen of interest into the cells of the recipient. The mRNA molecules are packaged in lipid nanoparticles or other delivery systems that protect them from degradation and facilitate their entry into the cells. Once inside the cells, the mRNA molecules are translated by the ribosomes into the antigen protein, which is then presented on the cell surface or secreted into the extracellular space. The antigen protein is recognized by the immune system as foreign and triggers an immune response that produces antibodies and memory cells. These antibodies and memory cells can then protect the recipient from future infection by the same pathogen.


RNA based vaccines have several advantages over traditional vaccines. First, they are easier and faster to design and produce, as they only require the genetic sequence of the antigen, which can be obtained from genomic databases or by sequencing the pathogen. Second, they are more versatile and adaptable, as they can be modified to target different antigens or variants of the same pathogen. Third, they are safer and more effective, as they do not contain any live or attenuated pathogens that could cause infection or reversion to virulence, and they induce both humoral and cellular immunity.


However, RNA based vaccines also face some challenges and limitations. One of them is the stability and delivery of the mRNA molecules, which are prone to degradation by enzymes and have difficulty crossing cell membranes. Another challenge is the potential for immune reactions or inflammation caused by the mRNA itself or by the delivery system. A third challenge is the ethical and social acceptance of this new technology, which may raise concerns about genetic manipulation or interference with natural immunity.


Despite these challenges, RNA based vaccines have shown promising results in clinical trials and have been approved for emergency use against COVID-19 by several regulatory agencies. Some examples of RNA based vaccines against COVID-19 are Pfizer-BioNTech's BNT162b2, Moderna's mRNA-1273, and CureVac's CVnCoV. These vaccines have demonstrated high efficacy and safety in preventing COVID-19 infection and severe disease. They have also been shown to be effective against some variants of SARS-CoV-2, such as B.1.1.7 (Alpha) and B.1.351 (Beta). However, more studies are needed to evaluate their long-term effects, durability, and protection against other variants.


In conclusion, RNA based vaccines are a novel and innovative type of vaccine that use mRNA to instruct cells to produce a specific antigen that can elicit an immune response. They have several advantages over traditional vaccines, such as ease of production, versatility, and safety. They also face some challenges and limitations, such as stability, delivery, immune reactions, and ethical and social acceptance. They have been successfully developed and deployed against COVID-19, but more research is needed to assess their full potential and applicability.


References:


Pardi N., Hogan M.J., Porter F.W., Weissman D., 2018. mRNA vaccines — a new era in vaccinology. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 17: 261–279.


Sahin U., Karikó K., Türeci Ö., 2020. mRNA-based therapeutics — developing a new class of drugs. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 19: 661–680.


Thompson M.G., Burgess J.L., Naleway A.L., et al., 2021. Interim estimates of vaccine effectiveness of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccines in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection among health care personnel, first responders, and other essential and frontline workers — eight U.S. locations, December 2020–March 2021. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 70: 495–500.


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