mRNA consensus allergen sparks cross-reactive IgG against food and pollen in preclinical tests
Mar 10th 2026
Researchers used an mRNA lipid nanoparticle to deliver a consensus allergen that generated cross-reactive, neutralizing IgG against multiple food and pollen allergens in mice and in vitro tests, offering a preclinical proof of concept for broader allergy immunotherapy while human trials remain needed.
- Nature Communications (published 5 Feb 2026) reports an mRNA vaccine encoding a designed consensus allergen that elicits neutralizing IgG in mice and in vitro human-cell assays.
- The consensus antigen was engineered to represent shared epitopes across related food and pollen allergens and produced cross-reactive IgG that reduced IgE binding.
- Vaccinated animals showed reduced allergen-triggered responses and sera had functional blocking activity in cell-based degranulation assays.
- Results are preclinical only and do not demonstrate safety or efficacy in humans, with clinical testing still required.
- Authors disclose a patent application related to the work and provide source data and materials in the paper's supplementary information.