Definition

A vaccine consisting of a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) encapsulating four messenger RNAs (mRNAs) encoding the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) envelope glycoproteins gp42, gp220, gH and gL, with potential immunizing activity against EBV. Upon intramuscular administration of LNP-encapsulated EBV mRNA vaccine mRNA-1189, the LNP binds to the plasma membrane of cells and releases the mRNAs into the cells. The mRNAs are then translated by ribosomes to produce the EBV envelope glycoproteins. This may activate both humoral and cellular immune responses which may result in protection against EBV infection. EBV, a ubiquitous human herpes virus, is associated with infectious mononucleosis and various malignancies, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and other lymphomas.