VaccineDec 5, 2025

A new alphavirus-based self-amplifying RNA vaccine platform for better protection and targeting specific organs

mRNA Technology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jan 7, 2026

Abstract

Optimized saRNA achieved over 10-fold enhancement in protein expression compared to wild-type.

Self-amplifying RNA derived from alphaviruses enables prolonged protein expression at lower doses than conventional mRNA.
Refinements in capping structure, nucleotide modifications, polyA tail length, and regulatory elements improved the efficiency of the Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus-based saRNA.
Screening of 28 saRNA constructs identified EVEV, MDPV, and RNV as top candidates for in vivo evaluation.
Optimized saRNAs showed sustained expression and a distinctive distribution in extrahepatic tissues, with enhanced targeting to the spleen.
In vivo studies indicated that EVEV-based saRNA generates stronger immune responses than linear mRNA.

Simplified

Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA), derived from alphaviruses, encodes nonstructural proteins (NSP1-4) that form a replicase complex, enabling prolonged and amplified protein expression at lower doses than conventional mRNA. However, its high immunogenicity and limited replication efficiency require optimization for improved protein expression. Here, we systematically optimized a Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus (VEEV)-based saRNA by refining its capping structure, nucleotide modifications, polyA tail length, and regulatory elements, achieving over 10-fold enhancement in protein expression compared to the wild-type. Additionally, we screened 28 alphavirus-derived saRNA constructs in vitro, selecting the top 3 candidates Everglades virus (EVEV), Mosso das Pedras virus (MDPV), and Rio Negro virus (RNV) for in vivo evaluation using SM102 lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations and luciferase reporters. These optimized saRNAs demonstrated sustained expression, stronger but tolerable immunogenicity, distinct extrahepatic tissue-specific biodistribution, and notably high spleen targeting compared to conventional mRNA. This novel saRNA platform has been validated for antibody development targeting challenging multi-pass transmembrane antigens hCCR9 and murine TSCOT. In vivo immunization studies in mice and rabbits demonstrated that EVEV-based saRNA induces stronger and more consistent immune responses compared to linear mRNA. Such organ-specific expression profiles present novel strategies for targeted RNA therapeutics, and further integration with advanced delivery technologies could enhance the precision, efficacy, and therapeutic potential of mRNA-based treatments.

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A new alphavirus-based self-amplifying RNA vaccine platform for better protection and targeting specific organs

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