mRNA vaccine and cell mitosis

According to this paper written by Abishek Wadhwa and his colleagues, the vaccine mRNA will exert its function independent on active cell division because it is not integrated into the host genome [1].

Interestingly, I also found this paper which indicates that there is a possibility that the mRNA can enter the nucleus during cell division. During the prophase of mitosis, the nuclear membrane is dissolved, allowing mRNA to passively diffuse into and be included within the nucleus later during telophase. In addition, if endogenous reverse transcriptase is present, the mRNA can end up being integrated into the host genome [2].

Resources:

1. Wadhwa A, Aljabbari A, Lokras A, Foged C, Thakur A. Opportunities and Challenges in the Delivery of mRNA-based Vaccines. Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(2):102. Published 2020 Jan 28. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics12020102

2. Sousa A, José M.M., Velilla A. Z.mRNA, Nanolipid Particles and PEG: A Triad Never Used in Clinical Vaccines is Going to Be Tested on Hundreds of Millions of People. Biomedical. 2021;34(1):2574. Published 2021 Feb 22. doi:10.26717/BJSTR.2021.34.005501