The Immunogenicity of Coxsackievirus A6 (D3a Sub-Genotype) Virus-Like Particle and mRNA Vaccines

Abstract

In recent years, coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) has surpassed enterovirus A71 to become the main pathogen causing severe Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease (HFMD) in China with a substantial disease burden. However, there is currently no commercial CVA6 vaccine. The D3a genotype of CVA6 is the predominant genotype in China. In this study, virus-like particles (VLPs) and mRNA vaccines based on the CVA6 sub-genotype D3a were successfully developed. The immunogenicity and protective effects of the VLP of CVA6 combined with Al(OH)₃ and CpG adjuvant indicated that VLP-induced neutralizing antibodies against three CVA6 sub-genotype (D2, D3a, and D3b) strains in Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice, and the combination of the two adjuvants enhanced cellular immunity. Passive immunization with serum from mice immunized with VLPs protected suckling mice against CVA6 lethal challenge in both antiserum transfer and maternal immunization experiments. The immunogenicity and protective effects of the mRNA vaccine of CVA6 indicate that it induces robust T-cell immunity. T-cell immunity was found to cross-protect against coxsackievirus A10 infection in mice. This is the first trial of a CVA6 mRNA vaccine worldwide and the first comparison of the immunogenicity and protective effects of VLP and mRNA vaccines based on D3a CVA6. The study provides a theoretical basis for the development of enteroviruses vaccines and the formulation of immunization strategies.