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Sellers RS, Dormitzer PR. Toxicologic Pathology Forum*: mRNA Vaccine Safety-Separating Fact From Fiction. Toxicol Pathol 2024:1926233241278298. [PMID: 39254115 DOI: 10.1177/01926233241278298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly across the globe, contributing to the death of millions of individuals from 2019 to 2023, and has continued to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality after the pandemic. At the start of the pandemic, no vaccines or anti-viral treatments were available to reduce the burden of disease associated with this virus, as it was a novel SARS coronavirus. Because of the tremendous need, the development of vaccines to protect against COVID-19 was critically important. The flexibility and ease of manufacture of nucleic acid-based vaccines, specifically mRNA-based products, allowed the accelerated development of COVID-19 vaccines. Although mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics had been in clinical trials for over a decade, there were no licensed mRNA vaccines on the market at the start of the pandemic. The rapid development of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines reduced serious complications and death from the virus but also engendered significant public concerns, which continue now, years after emergency-use authorization and subsequent licensure of these vaccines. This article summarizes and addresses some of the safety concerns that continue to be expressed about these vaccines and their underlying technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rani S Sellers
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Domingo JL. A review of the scientific literature on experimental toxicity studies of COVID-19 vaccines, with special attention to publications in toxicology journals. Arch Toxicol 2024:10.1007/s00204-024-03854-8. [PMID: 39225797 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03854-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Since the reports of the first cases of COVID-19, in less than 5 years, a huge number of documents regarding that disease and the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the infection, have been published. The tremendous number of scientific documents covers many topics on different issues directly related to COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. The number of articles-including reviews-reporting adverse/side effects of the approved COVID-19 vaccines is considerable. A wide range of adverse/side effects have been reported in humans after COVID-19 vaccination: thrombotic events/thrombocytopenia, myocarditis/pericarditis, cutaneous reactions, immune-mediated effects, psychiatric adverse events, systemic lupus erythematosus, reproductive toxicity, and other miscellaneous adverse effects. In contrast, information on nonclinical studies conducted to assess the potential toxicity/adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccines in laboratory animals, is comparatively very scarce. The present review was aimed at revising the scientific literature regarding the studies in laboratory animals on the toxic/adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, the investigations reported in those specific toxicology journals with the highest impact factors have been examined one by one. The results of the present review indicate that most nonclinical/experimental studies on the adverse/toxic effects of the COVID-19 vaccines and/or potential candidates showed-in general terms-a good safety profile. Only in some animal studies were certain adverse effects found. However, a rather surprising result has been the limited number of available (in the databases PubMed and Scopus) nonclinical studies performed by the companies that have been the largest manufacturers of mRNA vaccines in the world. It is assumed that these studies have been conducted. However, they have not been published in scientific journals, which does not allow the judgment of the international scientific community, including toxicologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose L Domingo
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorens 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain.
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Liu XL, Hou YY, Su SH, Wu X, Wang ZF. Investigating TIP30-Mediated regulation of mTORC1 signaling as a therapeutic strategy for coxsackievirus B3-Induced viral myocarditis. Virology 2024; 597:110156. [PMID: 38981316 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
This study aims to elucidate the role of TIP30 (30 KDa HIV-1 TAT-Interacting Protein) in the progression of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced viral myocarditis. TIP30 knockout and wildtype mice were intraperitoneally infected with CVB3 and evaluated at day 7 post-infection. HeLa cells were transfected with TIP30 lentiviral particles and subsequently infected with CVB3 to evaluate viral replication, cellular pathogenesis, and mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. Deletion of the TIP30 gene heightened heart virus titers and mortality rates in mice with CVB3-induced myocarditis, exacerbating cardiac damage and fibrosis, and elevating pro-inflammatory factors level. In vitro experiments demonstrated the modulation of mTORC1 signaling by TIP30 during CVB3 infection in HeLa cells. TIP30 overexpression mitigated CVB3-induced cellular pathogenesis and VP1 expression, with rapamycin, an mTOR1 inhibitor, reversing these effects. These findings suggest TIP30 plays a critical protective role against CVB3-induced myocarditis by regulating mTORC1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Lei Liu
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinxiang Central Hospital, Xinxiang, 453000, Henan, China
| | - Yu-Yan Hou
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinxiang Central Hospital, Xinxiang, 453000, Henan, China
| | - Shu-Hong Su
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinxiang Central Hospital, Xinxiang, 453000, Henan, China
| | - Xiao Wu
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinxiang Central Hospital, Xinxiang, 453000, Henan, China
| | - Zhi-Fang Wang
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinxiang Central Hospital, Xinxiang, 453000, Henan, China.
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Eens S, Van Hecke M, Van den Bogaert S, Favere K, Cools N, Fransen E, Roskams T, Heidbuchel H, Guns PJ. A Murine Model of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine-Induced Myocarditis: A Shot in the Dark? JACC Basic Transl Sci 2024; 9:1026-1028. [PMID: 39297135 PMCID: PMC11405785 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2024.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2024]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kasper Favere
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
- Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Hein Heidbuchel
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
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Lee S, Lee J, Cho SH, Roh G, Park HJ, Lee YJ, Jeon HE, Lee YS, Bae SH, Youn SB, Cho Y, Oh A, Ha D, Lee SY, Choi EJ, Cho S, Lee S, Kim DH, Kang MH, Yoon MS, Lim BK, Nam JH. Assessing the impact of mRNA vaccination in chronic inflammatory murine model. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:34. [PMID: 38360752 PMCID: PMC10869740 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00825-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The implications of administration of mRNA vaccines to individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases, including myocarditis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are unclear. We investigated mRNA vaccine effects in a chronic inflammation mouse model implanted with an LPS pump, focusing on toxicity and immunogenicity. Under chronic inflammation, mRNA vaccines exacerbated cardiac damage and myocarditis, inducing mild heart inflammation with heightened pro-inflammatory cytokine production and inflammatory cell infiltration in the heart. Concurrently, significant muscle damage occurred, with disturbances in mitochondrial fusion and fission factors signaling impaired muscle repair. However, chronic inflammation did not adversely affect muscles at the vaccination site or humoral immune responses; nevertheless, it partially reduced the cell-mediated immune response, particularly T-cell activation. These findings underscore the importance of addressing mRNA vaccine toxicity and immunogenicity in the context of chronic inflammation, ensuring their safe and effective utilization, particularly among vulnerable populations with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seonghyun Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jisun Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Hee Cho
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon, 21999, Republic of Korea
| | - Gahyun Roh
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Jung Park
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - You-Jeung Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, Jungwon University, Goesan-gun, Chungbuk, 28024, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha-Eun Jeon
- Department of Biomedical Science, Jungwon University, Goesan-gun, Chungbuk, 28024, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Sun Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo-Hyeon Bae
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sue Bean Youn
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngran Cho
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ayoung Oh
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dahyeon Ha
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Yeon Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Jin Choi
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongje Cho
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sowon Lee
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Do-Hyung Kim
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
- SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, 14353, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ho Kang
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical-Chemical Engineering, The Catholic University of Korea, 43 Jibong-ro, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 14662, Republic of Korea
| | - Mee-Sup Yoon
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon, 21999, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, 21999, Republic of Korea.
- Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Incheon, 21999, Republic of Korea.
| | - Byung-Kwan Lim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Jungwon University, Goesan-gun, Chungbuk, 28024, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Hwan Nam
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea.
- BK21 four Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, Republic of Korea.
- SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong, 14353, Republic of Korea.
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