Chunam National University Research Team Led by Lee Junhaeng and Lee Sieun Publishes Mucosal Vaccine Technology in Academic Journal

Chonnam National University announced that the next-generation mucosal vaccine technology developed by the research team of Professor Lee Junhaeng and Professor Lee Sieun has been published in the world-renowned academic journal Nature Communications. Photo by Chonnam National University

Chonnam National University announced on the 27th that a next-generation mucosal vaccine technology developed by Professor Lee Junhaeng (Department of Microbiology, Chonnam National University Medical School) and Professor Lee Sieun (Department of Dental Pharmacology, Chonnam National University School of Dentistry) has been published in the world-renowned journal 'Nature Communications'.

This study presents the development of a mucosal vaccine that induces effective immune protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection by utilizing self-assembling protein nanocages. The nanocage vaccine platform derived from this research is expected to attract attention as a core technology for future mucosal vaccine development, as it can inhibit infectious diseases at the respiratory mucosa, the first barrier of infection, a concept that has gained importance since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The research team designed a next-generation vaccine by simultaneously loading tPspA, a protective antigen of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Flagellin (FlaB), a potent mucosal immune adjuvant they have been studying for over 20 years, onto the surface of a ferritin-based protein nanocage.

This nanocage vaccine platform features a delivery system that effectively transports the vaccine to immune tissues, an antigen complex that efficiently stimulates antibody-producing B cells, and a stable expression of the immune-enhancing agent Flagellin. This next-generation technology has the potential to overcome multiple technical barriers that have previously hindered the practical application of mucosal vaccines.

The study found that the nanocage-form vaccine significantly improved mucosal immune responses, memory B cell formation, antigen-binding affinity of generated antibodies, and the balance of humoral and cellular immunity compared to conventional antigen-adjuvant fusion vaccines. In mouse models, intranasal administration of the vaccine resulted in a marked increase in survival rates against fatal Streptococcus pneumoniae infection and a significant reduction in lung tissue damage.

Professor Lee Junhaeng and Professor Lee Sieun, the principal investigators, stated, "This research marks a significant advancement in the field of mucosal vaccines and will serve as a key foundation for the development of vaccines to prevent various infectious diseases in the future."