Researchers in Japan have developed a novel mRNA vaccine that, when delivered via intramuscular injection, significantly suppresses abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina, a key factor in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).
In preclinical mouse models, the vaccine was found to be as effective as current anti-VEGF therapies, with the added benefit of avoiding repeated intravitreal injections (IVI).
By stimulating the body to produce antibodies that inhibit LRG1, the vaccine prevents pathological blood vessel growth in the retina
Retinochoroidal neovascularisation (NV), involved in nAMD, diabetic macular oedema, and other ocular diseases, causes vision impairment and blindness.
Current treatments rely on repeated IVI, which are “burdensome for patients and clinicians, and some patients fail to respond to the treatments”, the study authors said.
“This study investigates the potential of mRNA vaccination to mitigate NV and treat ocular pathologies.
“The vaccine targets leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1), a protein specifically expressed in pathological neovascularisation, inducing anti-LRG1 antibody responses in mice.”
By stimulating the body to produce antibodies that inhibit LRG1, the vaccine prevents pathological blood vessel growth in the retina, the team said.
“In a laser-induced NV model, the LRG1 mRNA vaccine reduces NV area and leakage while inhibiting microglial cell infiltration. Histological analysis shows no adverse effects on retinal architecture or glial cell activation.”
These findings offer promising potential for a less invasive, long-term treatment approach for AMD and other neovascular eye conditions.
The findings were published in the journal Vaccine.1
Reference:
- Yanagi Y, Ichikawa H, Uchida S, et al, mRNA vaccination mitigates pathological retinochoroidal neovascularization in animal models, Vaccine. 2025;61:127451. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127451.
