mRNA-1010 Influenza Vaccine Broadens Antibodies for 26 Weeks in Human Study
Updated
Updated · Nature.com · Jun 15
mRNA-1010 Influenza Vaccine Broadens Antibodies for 26 Weeks in Human Study
3 articles · Updated · Nature.com · Jun 15
Summary
A 75-person study over two flu seasons found Moderna’s investigational mRNA-1010 produced higher antibody titers and more memory B cells than licensed split-virion vaccine Fluarix.
In draining lymph nodes, mRNA-1010 sustained germinal-center activity for at least 26 weeks in 5 of 13 sampled recipients, while no persistent germinal centers were detected in Fluarix recipients.
Proteomic and single-cell analyses showed mRNA-1010 increased vaccine-elicited serum IgG clonotypes and drove roughly 3-fold more intraclonal expansion of pre-existing clonotypes, linking broader antibodies to ongoing germinal-center evolution.
That repertoire remodeling translated into wider binding against divergent influenza strains and stronger neutralization gains against 11 of 13 A/H1N1 viruses tested, though A/H3N2 neutralization advantages were not statistically significant.
The findings suggest mRNA flu vaccines may better counter antigenic drift by repeatedly diversifying recall B-cell responses, a potential step toward broader seasonal or universal influenza protection.