A recent study by researchers at Yale University has revealed that administering a COVID-19 booster through the nose can significantly enhance immune protection in the lungs and airways.
This approach, termed “Prime and Spike,” involves an initial intramuscular mRNA vaccine followed by a nasal spray containing the virus’s spike protein.
The study, published in Nature Immunology, demonstrated that this method effectively boosts mucosal immunity without the need for additional immune-stimulating agents, commonly referred to as adjuvants.
In experiments conducted on mice, the nasal booster prompted immune cells to migrate to the respiratory tract, leading to the production of Immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies.
These antibodies play a crucial role in neutralising pathogens at mucosal surfaces, thereby preventing infection.
The study found that this localised immune response was not achieved with traditional intramuscular boosters.
Lead researcher Akiko Iwasaki, a professor at Yale School of Medicine, emphasised the potential of this strategy in enhancing protection against respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19.
By focusing the immune response at the primary entry points of the virus, the nasal booster could offer a more effective defence mechanism.
The “Prime and Spike” approach is currently being developed for broader application through Xanadu Bio, a company co-founded by Iwasaki.
This innovative method holds promise for improving vaccine efficacy and reducing transmission rates, especially as new variants of the virus continue to emerge.
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