Molecular therapy. Nucleic acidsDec 29, 2025

MicroRNA-192 in fat nanoparticles reduces inflammation and boosts vaccine response in older mice

mRNA Technology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jun 27, 2026

Abstract

Essence

miR-192-loaded lipid nanoparticles may improve vaccine responses in aged mice by suppressing inflammation that weakens antibody production.

Evidence

This preclinical LNP formulation and mouse vaccination study found that IL-6 and TNF-alpha at the vaccination site reduced antigen-specific antibodies, while miR-192 LNPs downregulated inflammatory cytokine and JAK-STAT signaling and enhanced responses, especially in aged mice.

Caveat

The evidence is limited to mouse and transcriptomic experiments, so human vaccine efficacy and safety are not established by the abstract.

Simplified

Proinflammatory cytokines are essential for initiating immune responses; however, excessive or aging-related chronic inflammation impairs immunity and reduces vaccine efficacy. In this study, we developed lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) encapsulating anti-inflammatory microRNA-192 (miR-192) to attenuate inflammation and improve vaccine performance in the elderly. Results revealed that specific proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α at the vaccination site, diminished antigen-specific antibody production. Notably, miR-192 endowed LNPs with strong anti-inflammatory properties, markedly enhancing vaccine efficacy, especially in aged mice. Transcriptomic analyses demonstrated that miR-192 downregulated multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as senescence-associated secreted phenotype factors, which hinder vaccine responses. Additionally, miR-192 inhibited key components of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, crucial for cytokine receptor signaling in myeloid cells. Overall, these findings indicate that miR-192 effectively suppresses harmful inflammatory responses, substantially enhancing vaccine efficacy, and highlight the therapeutic potential of the anti-inflammatory microRNA-based adjuvants for improving vaccination outcomes in the elderly.