RNA Vaccines: Yeast as a Novel Antigen Vehicle

In the last decades, technological advances for RNA manipulation enabled and expanded its application in vaccine development. This approach comprises synthetic single-stranded mRNA molecules that direct the translation of the antigen responsible for activating the desired immune response. The success of RNA vaccines depends on the delivery vehicle. Among the systems, yeasts emerge as a new approach, already employed to deliver protein antigens, with efficacy demonstrated through preclinical and clinical trials. beta-glucans and mannans in their walls are responsible for the adjuvant property of this system. Yeast beta-glucan capsules, microparticles, and nanoparticles can modulate immune responses and have a high capacity to carry nucleic acids, with bioavailability upon oral immunization and targeting to receptors present in antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In addition, yeasts are suitable vehicles for the protection and specific delivery of therapeutic vaccines based on RNAi. Compared to protein antigens, the use of yeast for DNA or RNA vaccine delivery is less established and has fewer studies, most of them in the preclinical phase. Here, we present an overview of the attributes of yeast or its derivatives for the delivery of RNA-based vaccines, discussing the current challenges and prospects of this promising strategy.

Automated summary

In recent decades, technological advances have allowed for the manipulation of RNA and its application in vaccine development. Yeasts have emerged as a new approach for delivering protein antigens and have shown efficacy through preclinical and clinical trials. Yeast-based delivery systems have the ability to modulate immune responses, carry nucleic acids, and target specific cells, making them a promising strategy for RNA-based vaccines.