Indian researchers developing new edible probiotic yoghurt-based vaccine for COVID-19!

Vaccine News: In an exciting development from the world of scientific innovation, researchers from the Center for Advanced-Applied Biological Sciences & Entrepreneurship (TCABS-E), Visakhapatnam, India, are working on a novel approach to COVID-19 vaccination. The team is developing an edible probiotic yogurt-based vaccine, known as YoVac, which may revolutionize how vaccines are administered. This new edible vaccine has the potential to offer a painless and easier alternative to traditional injectable vaccines, especially for people who are hesitant about needles or who face challenges accessing medical facilities for vaccine administration. This Vaccine News report delves into the study behind this breakthrough.


Indian researchers developing new edible probiotic yoghurt-based vaccine for COVID-19
Image-AI-Generated By TMN and does not represent actual product being developed.
 
The Problem with Traditional COVID-19 Vaccines
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019, vaccines have played a crucial role in mitigating the spread of the virus. Most vaccines currently available, including those developed by major pharmaceutical companies, require multiple doses administered through injections. For many, this method of delivery is less than ideal. People fear needles, and the requirement for medical professionals to oversee the administration of the vaccines adds further logistical challenges. Moreover, as the pandemic drags on, there is a need for more adaptable and accessible vaccination methods.
 
The researchers at TCABS-E are addressing these issues head-on with YoVac, a yogurt-based vaccine designed to be consumed orally. This unique vaccine uses a specific strain of Lactobacillus - a common probiotic bacterium found in yogurt - to express the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, the part of the virus responsible for enabling infection. By targeting the spike protein, this approach aims to train the immune system to recognize and combat the virus more effectively.
 
How YoVac Works
The concept behind YoVac is both simple and groundbreaking. The researchers have engineered a strain of Lactobacillus to express the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on its surface. This bacterium serves as the vaccine carrier. Once consumed, the bacteria enter the human gut microbiome (hgMb), a complex community of microorganisms that play an essential role in human health.
 
What makes YoVac particularly innovative is its reliance on lateral gene transfer (LGT). LGT is a natural process through which bacteria can exchange genetic material. In this case, the Lactobacillus in YoVac transfers the gene coding for the SARS-CoV-2 RBD to other bacteria living in the gut, such as E. coli and Helicobacter pylori. The idea is that these recipient bacteria will then start producing the spike protein, which will in turn stimulate the body’s immune response, creating immunity to COVID-19.
 
Key Study Findings
The researchers conducted in vitro studies to test the effectiveness of their approach. First, they prepared the yogurt vaccine using Lactobacillus isolated from homemade yogurt. This bacterium was engineered to carry the RBD coding sequence along with an ampicillin-resistance gene (which served as a marker to identify successful gene transfer). They then introduced this modified bacterium to a culture containing E. coli and Helicobacter pylori.
 
The results were promising. The donor Lactobacillus successfully transferred the gene to the recipient bacteria, which not only gained resistance to ampicillin but also began producing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This suggests that the vaccine could work as expected in a real-world scenario, where the gene would be transferred to other bacteria in the human gut, effectively turning them into mini vaccine factories.
 
Further testing showed that the modified Lactobacillus maintained its ability to produce the spike protein for over a month when stored at 4°C, indicating that the vaccine has a stable shelf life, a crucial factor for real-world distribution.
 
Potential Implications
If successful in human trials, YoVac could represent a major leap forward in vaccine technology. Unlike traditional vaccines, which often require refrigeration and specialized handling, YoVac could be transported and stored like regular yogurt, making it accessible to people in remote or underdeveloped regions. This could be especially helpful in countries with less robust healthcare infrastructure.

Moreover, the oral administration of YoVac means that it could be consumed at home without the need for medical supervision. This could alleviate the burden on healthcare workers and reduce the strain on healthcare systems that are already stretched thin by the ongoing pandemic. Furthermore, the potential for lateral gene transfer means that a single dose of YoVac could potentially have a long-lasting effect by continually boosting the immune response as more gut bacteria pick up the RBD coding gene.
 
Challenges Ahead
While the in vitro results are promising, there are still several hurdles to overcome before YoVac can become a widely available option. One of the main challenges is proving that the lateral gene transfer observed in the lab can occur effectively in the human gut microbiome. While the researchers have tested the process in a controlled environment, the human gut is far more complex and may present unforeseen obstacles.
 
There is also the question of safety. Lateral gene transfer is a natural process, but it’s essential to ensure that the transfer of the spike protein gene to other bacteria doesn’t result in unintended side effects. The researchers will need to conduct rigorous in vivo studies to ensure that the vaccine is both effective and safe for widespread use.
 
Conclusion
YoVac represents a significant step forward in vaccine research, offering a novel approach to immunization that could overcome many of the challenges posed by traditional vaccines. The use of probiotics and the human gut microbiome as a delivery system for vaccines is a creative and promising strategy that could open the door to a new era of vaccine technology.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006291X24011586
 
For the latest Vaccine News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/bcfa-a-new-hope-for-vaccines-in-fighting-infectious-diseases
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-breakthrough-in-flu-vaccination-safe-and-effective-sublingual-vaccine-developed

https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breakthrough-mice-study-shows-that-prophylactic-intranasal-administration-of-sars-cov-2-specific-immunoglobulin-y-protects-against-covid-19