Reference:
Wiseman, D., Gutschi, L. M., Speicher, D. J., Rose, J., & McKernan, K. (2023). Ribosomal frameshifting and misreading of mRNA in COVID-19 vaccines produces “off-target” proteins and immune responses eliciting safety concerns: Comment on UK study by Mulroney et al. Nature. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06800-3
Summary:
The article discusses a study by Mulroney et al., which reveals that mRNA in COVID-19 vaccines, specifically Pfizer’s BNT162b2, can undergo ribosomal frameshifting, leading to the production of unintended proteins. These “off-target” proteins may provoke immune responses, raising safety concerns. The authors argue that the incorporation of N1-methyl pseudouridine in the mRNA increases the likelihood of misreading during translation, which could result in potentially harmful immune reactions. The study, conducted with both mice and human samples, indicated significant immune responses to these unintended proteins. Despite the lack of reported adverse effects in the study’s participants, the authors emphasise the necessity for thorough risk assessments and regulatory scrutiny to understand the implications of these findings. They call for improved design protocols for future mRNA therapeutics to mitigate such issues.