Bacterial membrane coating potentiates lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery

Summary

This experimental study asks whether bacterial membrane material can add immune stimulation to lipid nanoparticles without losing their strong capacity for messenger RNA delivery. The researchers coated LNPs with outer membrane vesicles derived from Escherichia coli, thereby combining native bacterial antigens and pathogen-associated signals with an mRNA carrier. Dengue virus E80 served as the model antigen, and the resulting hybrid particles contained the corresponding dengue mRNA. In cell-based experiments, the coated formulation showed greater uptake by immune cells residing in lymph nodes and improved delivery of mRNA into the cytosol. Those effects were accompanied by dendritic-cell maturation and production of inflammatory cytokines. In AG129 mice, vaccination generated higher dengue-neutralizing antibody titres than conventional, uncoated LNPs. The work therefore supports a modular vaccine concept in which the membrane shell supplies immunogenic cues while the lipid core performs nucleic-acid delivery. The principal significance is proof at cellular and mouse levels that these functions can be integrated in one particle to strengthen an mRNA vaccine response. The abstract does not address durability, safety breadth, manufacturing consistency, or protection from dengue challenge.