• 195928043411214979140222488948970154446PublicAssets/6972
    Journey of an mRNA Vaccine
    Active
    View Entry

    Large-Resolution Image
    1959 x 2804 pixels
    7 × 9 inches (300 dpi)
    3.25Mb

    Medium-Resolution Image
    979 x 1402 pixels
    7 × 9 inches (150 dpi)
    219.6kb

    Low-Resolution Image
    489 x 701 pixels
    7 × 10 inches (72 dpi)
    53.2kb

    Journey of an mRNA Vaccine

    6972

    The SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19) has a spike protein that it uses like a tool to break into and infect cells. On its own, the spike protein is harmless and can be used as a tool to train your immune system to defend against the virus.

    Step 1: Scientists make copies of mRNA with instructions that tell the human body how to make only the outer spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.

    Step 2: mRNA is packaged inside tiny globules called lipid nanoparticles. Lipids (fatty acids) are used as the vehicle because they: Protect the mRNA from breaking down Help it pass through cell membranes and into the body's cells

    Step 3: The vaccine's mRNA instructions pass into muscle cells (near where a vaccine injection is given), and those muscle cells make copies of the spike protein.

    Step 4: Though the spikes are harmless, the body’s immune system recognizes them as antigens (foreign substances) and produces targeted antibodies to defend against them.

    Step 5: The body eliminates the vaccine material. Special white blood cells called memory cells "remember" the spike protein and which antibodies to make if they happen upon the spike again.

    Step 6: If SARS-CoV-2 (and its telltale spike proteins) enter a vaccinated person's body, the immune system reacts with antibodies that defend against infection more swiftly than it otherwise could if it had never seen the spike protein.

    Featured in “Pathways: Vaccine Science.”
    Public NoteAn infographic showing the steps in an mRNA vaccine’s journey.
    Internal Note
    Keywords
    SourceNational Institute of General Medical Sciences.
    Date
    Credit LineNational Institute of General Medical Sciences.
    Investigator
    Record TypeIllustration
    Topic Area(s);#Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology;#Injury and Illness;#
    Previous Uses
    StatusActive

    View All Properties
    Edit Properties
Type
  
Name
  
Media Type
  
File Size
  
Modified
  
Modified By
  
Journey of an mRNA Vaccine_S.jpg
  
Low54 KB 11/7/2023 9:22 AMCrowley, Rachel (NIH/NIGMS) [E]
Journey of an mRNA Vaccine_M.jpg
  
Medium220 KB 11/7/2023 9:22 AMCrowley, Rachel (NIH/NIGMS) [E]
Journey of an mRNA Vaccine_thumbnail.jpg
  
Thumbnail3 KB 11/7/2023 9:22 AMCrowley, Rachel (NIH/NIGMS) [E]
Journey of an mRNA Vaccine.png
  
High3332 KB 11/7/2023 9:22 AMCrowley, Rachel (NIH/NIGMS) [E]

 Add New Version

Note: Uploading a version which already exists will overwrite the existing version with the uploaded file.
* Uploaded thumbnails wider than 120 pixels will be reduced.