Advancing mRNA Vaccine and Lung Repair Research with HiActi™ Cytokines

Rhamnolipid Nanovaccines Strengthen Adaptive Immunity

Researchers led by Jianping Qi at Fudan University’s School of Pharmacy and Jinlong Yang at Tongji University developed PEG-free lipid nanoparticles for mRNA vaccine delivery. By replacing conventional PEG lipids with microbial rhamnolipids (RLs), they created RL-LNPs that combine stability with immune-modulating activity. The particles promoted dendritic cell uptake through mannose receptors and DEC205, activated CLR/NF-κB signaling, and enhanced Th1-biased antibody and cellular immune responses. Repeated administration caused no obvious mast cell infiltration and showed a more favorable safety profile than conventional PEG-LNPs. These findings suggest a new approach to next-generation mRNA vaccine delivery.

The study, “Microbial Rhamnolipid-Stabilized mRNA Nanovaccines Enhance Adaptive Immunity via Dendritic Cell Targeting,” appeared in Advanced Functional Materials in March 2026.

Read the original article: https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202531454

GM-CSF and IL-4 Support Dendritic Cell Differentiation

The team used YEASEN HiActi™ Recombinant Mouse GM-CSF Protein (Cat#91108ES) and HiActi™ Recombinant Mouse IL-4 Protein (Cat#90144ES) to differentiate bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) in vitro. Bone marrow cells from C57BL/6 mice were cultured in complete RPMI 1640 medium with 20 ng/mL GM-CSF and 10 ng/mL IL-4. On day 6, floating and loosely adherent cells were collected for RL-LNP and PEG-LNP treatment, dendritic cell maturation assays, cytokine measurements, and proteomic analysis.

TGF-β Signaling Shapes Stem Cell Repair of Injured Lungs

A team led by Wei Zuo at Tongji University investigated how airway basal stem cells (BCs) repair lung injury and how they might help treat pulmonary fibrosis. Using spatial transcriptomics, TGF-β/SMAD signaling interventions, and mouse lung injury models, the researchers found that TGF-β gradients in the injured lung’s immune microenvironment regulate BC migration and differentiation. Blocking this signaling increased alveolar epithelial proliferation but impaired full differentiation and restoration of the alveolar barrier. The team then engineered BCs to express the antifibrotic factor BMP7 in response to TGF-β. These engineered cells, called iBMP7-BCs, improved lung tissue repair and reduced fibrosis in mice.

The study, “Control of airway basal stem cell–mediated lung repair by TGF-β signaling,” appeared in Science Advances on January 7, 2026.

Read the original article: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adz1519

BMP-7 Supports Testing in a Mouse Fibrosis Model

The researchers used YEASEN HiActi™ Recombinant Human BMP-7 Protein (92054ES) to test BMP7 treatment in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis. C57BL/6J mice received intratracheal bleomycin (BLM) at 5 U/kg to induce fibrosis. The treatment group then received daily intraperitoneal BMP7 injections at 500 µg/kg. Tissues were collected for analysis on day 14 after BLM administration.

HiActi™ Cytokines Combine High Activity with Consistent Quality

YEASEN HiActi™ cytokines combine high activity, purity, and stability with low endotoxin levels. Stringent quality control and cell-based functional testing help ensure consistent performance and reliable experimental results. The product line draws on YEASEN’s experience in cytokine research and manufacturing.

Human IL-1β purity exceeds 95% by SDS-PAGE and HPLC, with no detectable contaminating protein bands.

In a D10.G4.1 cell proliferation assay, the ED50 is below 20 pg/mL, corresponding to a specific activity above 5.0 × 10⁷ IU/mg.

GMP-Grade Recombinant Proteins for Cell Therapy Development

YEASEN offers GMP-grade recombinant proteins to support cell therapy drug development. Comprehensive quality testing evaluates purity, activity, safety, and consistency.

Product Features That Support Cell Therapy Workflows

• High Purity

Purity above 95% helps reduce the risk of immune responses associated with residual host cell proteins or DNA.

• Low Endotoxin

Endotoxin levels below 10 EU/mg help reduce the risk of fever or inflammation.

• Support for Regulatory Submissions

The products meet regulatory requirements for cell therapy materials and support investigational new drug (IND) submissions.

• Animal Origin Free

Animal origin-free production helps protect against animal viruses, pathogenic substances, and adventitious-agent contamination.

Manufacturing and Quality Control Standards

GMP-grade protein production and quality control follow these pharmacopoeial requirements:

• Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2020 edition, Part III: general requirements for quality control of raw materials and excipients used in biologics manufacturing.
• USP General Chapter <92>, Growth Factors and Cytokines Used in Cell Therapy Manufacturing.
• Ph. Eur. General Chapter 5.2.12, Raw Materials of Biological Origin for the Production of Cell-based and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products.

Quality Systems and Audit Support

• Manufacturing, testing, and release under an ISO 13485:2016-certified quality management system support batch consistency and material traceability.
• Each batch includes a certificate of analysis (COA).
• Materials and the production environment are animal origin free.
• Production takes place in facilities for pharmaceutical raw materials and excipients.
• Remote and on-site audits are supported.

Safety Testing and Acceptance Criteria

Explore the GMP-Grade Recombinant Protein Portfolio

The portfolio continues to expand as new products are developed.

Performance Data for GMP-Grade Human bFGF

Recombinant Human FGF Basic FGF2 bFGF GMP Protein

Purity by SDS-PAGE

Human FGF basic/FGF2/bFGF purity exceeds 95% by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions.

Purity by SEC-HPLC

Human bFGF purity exceeds 95% by SEC-HPLC.

Activity in a Cell Proliferation Assay

In a murine BALB/c 3T3 cell proliferation assay, the ED50 is below 1 ng/mL, corresponding to a specific activity above 5.0 × 10⁶ IU/mg.

Explore more GMP-grade recombinant proteins: https://www.yeasen.com/products/list/218