The key difference between DNA and RNA vaccines is that DNA vaccine is a type of vaccine that uses a copy of a natural chemical called DNA to produce an immune response, while RNA vaccine is a type of vaccine that uses a copy of a natural chemical called messenger RNA to produce an immune response.
DNA and RNA vaccines are types of vaccines that have the same goal as traditional vaccines. But they work slightly different. Traditional vaccines inject a weakened form of a virus or bacteria into the body to stimulate an immune response. DNA and RNA vaccines inject a part of the pathogens’ own genetic code into the body to stimulate an immune response.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are DNA Vaccines
3. What are RNA Vaccines
4. Similarities Between DNA and RNA Vaccines
5. Side by Side Comparison – DNA vs RNA Vaccines in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What are DNA Vaccines?
DNA vaccine is a type of vaccine that uses a copy of a natural chemical called DNA to produce an immune response in humans. DNA vaccine contains specific DNA that codes for a protein that is known as antigen in the pathogen. The DNA is injected into the body via a plasmid vector and taken up by the cell. The normal metabolic processes in the cell help to synthesize this particular protein based on the genetic code in the plasmid the cell has taken up. The cell recognizes these proteins as foreign molecules as these proteins contain regions of amino acid sequences that are characteristic of bacteria or viruses. Therefore, the cell immune system triggers immune responses.
Figure 01: DNA Vaccines
In 1983, Enzo Paoletti and Dennis Panicali at the New York Department of Health made a strategy to produce recombinant DNA vaccines by using genetic engineering. By this, they transformed ordinary smallpox vaccine into vaccines that may be able to prevent other diseases. Moreover, in 2016, the DNA vaccine for the Zika virus was tested for humans at the National Institute of Health, USA. Furthermore, scientists found DNA vaccination can be used as a strategy for monoclonal antibody induction.
What are RNA Vaccines?
RNA vaccine is a type of vaccine that uses a copy of a natural chemical called messenger RNA to produce an immune response in humans. In contrast to traditional vaccines, mRNA vaccines introduce a short-lived, synthetically made fragment of the RNA sequence of a pathogen such as a virus into the individual. The delivery of mRNA is achieved by lipid nanoparticles. Later, the dendritic cells take up these mRNA fragments through phagocytosis. The dendritic cells use their own internal ribosomes to read the mRNA and produce viral antigens before destroying the mRNA. Once the viral antigens are formed, the cell immune system stimulates the immune responses.
Figure 02: RNA Vaccines
The use of RNA vaccines goes back to the 1990s. Up to 2020, different mRNA vaccines have been developed for human use and tested for diseases such as rabies, Zika, cytomegalovirus, and influenza. But, these mRNA vaccines have not been licensed. At the onset of the COVID19 pandemic, more mRNA-based vaccines have been developed and licensed. Both Moderna and Pfizer–BioNTech companies obtained emergency use authorization for their mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines recently.
What are the Similarities Between DNA and RNA Vaccines?
- Both vaccines are made by using genetic material such as DNA or RNA.
- Both vaccines trigger immune response faster.
- They are very effective.
- They need a delivery system or delivery materials.
- Both are easy to produce on a large scale.
What is the Difference Between DNA and RNA Vaccines?
DNA vaccine is a type of vaccine that uses a copy of a natural chemical called DNA to produce an immune response. RNA vaccine is a type of vaccine that uses a copy of a natural chemical called messenger RNA to produce an immune response. So, this is the key difference between DNA and RNA vaccines. Furthermore, DNA vaccine uses genetically engineered plasmid to deliver the vaccine to the human cells. In contrast, RNA vaccine uses lipid nanoparticle to deliver the vaccine to human cells. Thus, this is another difference between DNA and RNA vaccines.
The below infographic shows more differences between DNA and RNA vaccines in tabular form.
Summary – DNA vs RNA Vaccines
Researchers have identified that gene-based (DNA or RNA) vaccines are faster and cheaper to produce in large quantities than conventional methods. Conventional vaccines often use the weakened or killed version of the pathogen. DNA and RNA vaccine inject a part of the pathogens’ own genetic code into the body to stimulate an immune response. DNA vaccine is a type of vaccine that uses a copy of DNA to produce an immune response. On the other hand, RNA vaccine is a type of vaccine that uses a copy of messenger RNA to produce an immune response. Thus, this is the summary of what is the difference between DNA and RNA vaccines.
Reference:
1. Hobernik, Dominika, and Matthias Bros. “DNA Vaccines-How Far From Clinical Use?” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI, 15 Nov. 2018, Available here.
2. “RNA Vaccines: an Introduction.” PHG Foundation, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Making a DNA Vaccine Against West Nile Virus” By NIAID (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “US authorizing Pfizer and BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine” By Marco Verch (CC BY 2.0) via Foto.wuestenigel.com
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