New insights into the structure of Comirnaty Covid-19 vaccine: A theory on soft nanoparticles with mRNA-lipid supercoils stabilized by hydrogen bonds (preprint)

Despite the worldwide success of mRNA-LNP Covid-19 vaccines, the nanoscale structure of these formulations is still poorly understood. To fill this gap, we used a combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and the determination of LNP pH gradient to analyze the nanoparticles (NPs) in BNT162b2 (Comirnaty), comparing it with the well characterized pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil). Comirnaty NPs had similar size to Doxil, however, unlike Doxil liposomes, wherein the stable ammonium and pH gradient enables accumulation of 14C-methylamine in the intraliposomal aqueous phase, Comirnaty LNPs lack such pH gradient in spite of the fact that the pH 4, at which LNPs are prepared, is raised to pH 7.2 after loading of the mRNA. Mechanical manipulation of Comirnaty NPs with AFM revealed soft, compliant structures. The sawtooth-like force transitions seen during cantilever retraction implies that molecular strands, corresponding to mRNA, can be pulled out of NPs, and the process is accompanied by stepwise rupture of mRNA-lipid bonds. Unlike Doxil, cryo-TEM of Comirnaty NPs revealed a granular, solid core enclosed by mono- and bilayers. Negative staining TEM shows 2-5 nm electron-dense spots in the liposom's interior that are aligned into strings, semicircles, or labyrinth-like networks, which may imply crosslink-stabilized supercoils. The neutral intra-LNP core questions the dominance of ionic interactions holding together this scaffold, raising the alternative possibility of hydrogen bonding between the mRNA and the lipids. Such interaction, described previously for another mRNA/lipid complex, is consistent with the steric structure of ionizable lipid in Comirnaty, ALC-0315, displaying free =O and -OH groups. It is hypothesized that the latter groups can get into steric positions that enable hydrogen bonding with the nitrogenous bases in the mRNA. These newly recognized structural features of mRNA-LNP may be important for the vaccine's efficacy.

Topography, spike dynamics and nanomechanics of individual native SARS-CoV-2 virions (preprint)

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic, displays a corona-shaped layer of spikes which play fundamental role in the infection process. Recent structural data suggest that the spikes possess orientational freedom and the ribonucleoproteins segregate into basketlike structures. How these structural features regulate the dynamic and mechanical behavior of the native virion, however, remain unknown. By imaging and mechanically manipulating individual, native SARS-CoV-2 virions with atomic force microscopy, here we show that their surface displays a dynamic brush owing to the flexibility and rapid motion of the spikes. The virions are highly compliant and able to recover from drastic mechanical perturbations. Their global structure is remarkably temperature resistant, but the virion surface becomes progressively denuded of spikes upon thermal exposure. Thus, both the infectivity and thermal sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 rely on the dynamics and the mechanics of the virus. One sentence summaryThe native coronavirus 2 displays a dynamic surface layer of spikes, a large mechanical compliance and unique self-healing capacity.