Precisely how does Pfizer's Covid-19 mRNA vaccine work?

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SUMMARY

The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, BNT162b2, utilizes messenger RNA (mRNA) to instruct human cells to produce the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, triggering an immune response. This vaccine is encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that protect the mRNA from degradation and facilitate its delivery into cells via endocytosis. The spike protein synthesized by the cells elicits a defensive immune response, preparing the body for potential future exposure to the virus. The mRNA does not remain in the body permanently, as it is eventually degraded, ensuring that the immune system does not recognize the spike protein as a normal cellular component.

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  • Understanding of mRNA technology and its applications in vaccines
  • Knowledge of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and their role in drug delivery
  • Familiarity with cellular mechanisms of protein synthesis and immune response
  • Basic concepts of virology, specifically regarding SARS-CoV-2
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  • #31
markar said:
Is the sequence of the mRNA (including modified nucleotides) in the public domain? Does it code any enzymes in addition to the spike protein?

Here's a good piece describing the components of the vaccine (though, again, the exact sequence of the mRNA appears to be proprietary): https://www.technologyreview.com/20...-the-ingredients-of-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine/

aheight said:
I assume the " trimerised SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein RBD antigen " is the spike protein consisting of three protein chains?
Yes. The S glycoprotein is another name for the spike protein (S stands for spike). A glycoprotein is a protein that has sugars attached to it. Most proteins on the surfaces of cells have sugars attached to them, and the spike protein in no exception. The RBD stands for the receptor binding domain, and refers to a specific part of the spike protein that binds to the ACE2 protein on the surface of cells. You want antibodies to target the RBD of the spike protein because these antibodies could interfere with attachment of the virus to cells. On the surface of the viruses, three spike proteins come together to form an active trimer, so timerization of the antigen in the vaccine helps to mimic how the spike protein looks on the outside of viruses.
 
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  • #32
markar said:
Is the sequence of the mRNA (including modified nucleotides) in the public domain? Does it code any enzymes in addition to the spike protein?

Here's a source that apparently has the sequence of the Pfizer mRNA vaccine:
 

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