An Il12 mRNA-LNP adjuvant enhances mRNA vaccine–induced CD8 T cell responses

Optimizing vaccine design to induce CD8 T cell responses has been challenging, but lipid nanoparticle (LNP)–encapsulated mRNA vaccines effectively generate CD8 T cell memory. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) supports CD8 T cell expansion and acquisition of effector function, but the role of IL-12 in the generation of CD8 T responses to mRNA vaccination is unclear. Here, we determine that endogenous IL-12 is not required for CD8 T cell responses to mRNA-LNP vaccination. We assessed the adjuvant activity of an mRNA-LNP encapsulating a codon-optimized mRNA that encodes both subunits of IL-12 (LNP–IL-12). Coadministration of LNP–IL-12 with ovalbumin (OVA) mRNA-LNPs enhanced CD8 T cell expansion and effector function and expanded circulating, effector, and tissue-resident memory CD8 T cells. LNP–IL-12 increased CD8 T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus antigens and improved protection against Listeria monocytogenes–OVA and B16F0-OVA melanoma. Thus, modification of mRNA-LNP formulations to include a cytokine mRNA provides a strategy to enhance CD8 T cell–mediated protection.