Characterization of BNT162b2 mRNA to Evaluate Risk of Off-Target Antigen Translation
Himakshi Patel, Kun Zhang, Rachael Utegg, Elaine Stephens, Shauna Salem, Heidi C. E. Welch, Svenja Grobe, Julia Schlereth, Andreas N. Kuhn, Jeff Ryczek, David Cirelli, Thomas F. Lerch
Abstract
mRNA vaccines have been established as a safe and effective modality, thanks in large part to the expedited development and approval of COVID-19 vaccines. In addition to the active, full-length mRNA transcript, mRNA fragment species can be present as a byproduct of the cell-free transcription manufacturing process or due to mRNA hydrolysis. In the current study, mRNA fragment species from BNT162b2 mRNA were isolated and characterized. The translational viability of intact and fragmented mRNA species was further explored using orthogonal expression systems to understand the risk of truncated spike protein or off-target antigen translation. The study demonstrates that mRNA fragments are primarily derived from premature transcriptional termination during manufacturing, and only full-length mRNA transcripts are viable for expression of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antigen.