The effectiveness of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) therapeutics, which can activate the human body's virus defense system in advance and block various viruses simultaneously, has been proven in animal experiments. This is the result of the U.S. Secretary of Health directly refuting claims that deny the efficacy of mRNA vaccines while reducing related research budgets.
Professor Dusan Bogunovic from Columbia University Medical Center in New York stated, "The efficacy of the mRNA universal antiviral has been proven in rodent and hamster models," in an article published on the 14th in the international journal Science Translational Medicine.
When human cells detect a virus, they secrete a signaling substance called interferon. Interferon activates about 1,000 genes, producing proteins that block viral invasion or inhibit replication. However, some respiratory viruses replicate so quickly that they can spread before the human body is fully prepared to defend itself. The research team explained that the key strategy is to pre-activate innate immunity before infection.
In the past, there was a method of administering interferon itself, but there were significant concerns about side effects. The research team chose to select ten proteins that promote the production of interferon and deliver them inside cells in the form of synthetic genetic information (mRNA). Since mRNA induces cells to produce proteins directly, it is more efficient than injecting pre-made proteins from outside.
The research team confirmed the antiviral effect of mRNA in both cellular and animal experiments. When various viruses, including influenza, Zika, and more, were introduced into human cells, and an mRNA combination was injected into them, the cells' ability to combat viruses increased. Then, in a mouse model, the administration of ten antiviral proteins significantly reduced the viral load in the lungs when infected with coronavirus. Professor Bogunovic noted, "We have confirmed the possibility that it could become a universal antiviral agent."
The remaining task is to develop a method for delivering mRNA to specific cells at high risk of infection. Professor Aris Katzourakis from Oxford University described the study as "interesting and promising research that well demonstrates the potential of mRNA technology," but also stated that "more time is needed before practical application."
Although this research reaffirmed the efficacy of mRNA vaccines, the U.S. government recently cut the budget for mRNA vaccine development by $500 million (700 billion won). Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known as an antivaccine advocate and Minister of Health, criticized the safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines, calling them "the most dangerous vaccine in history." Professor Bogunovic expressed concern that "this trend from the U.S. Department of Health is likely to have a considerable influence on our research as well, and unfortunately, it will slow down the progress of our research."
References
Science Translational Medicine (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.adx5758