What are the implications of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine) being taken up by human liver cells and potentially integrating into DNA?

From the Guidelines

The COVID-19 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 does not pose a significant risk of integrating into human DNA or causing permanent genetic alterations, and its benefits in preventing COVID-19 outweigh the risks, especially in patients with chronic liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 1. The study you mentioned suggests that BNT162b2 mRNA can be reverse-transcribed and integrated into the genome of human cells, but this finding is not supported by the majority of scientific evidence and has been debunked by rigorous scientific investigation. The mRNA in the vaccine is designed to remain in the cytoplasm of cells, where it instructs cells to produce the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein temporarily before being degraded, without entering the nucleus where DNA is stored. Some key points to consider:

• The vaccine's mRNA is encased in lipid nanoparticles that allow it to enter cells, where cellular machinery translates it into spike protein, triggering an immune response.
• The mRNA itself typically degrades within days, leaving no permanent genetic material behind.
• The vaccine has been administered to billions of people worldwide with extensive safety monitoring showing no evidence of genetic alteration.
• Patients with chronic liver disease or HCC should continue to receive COVID-19 vaccination as the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks, and they should strictly adhere to infection precautionary measures even after vaccination due to potential low antibody titer 1. It is essential to rely on high-quality scientific evidence when evaluating the safety and efficacy of vaccines, and the current evidence supports the use of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, including BNT162b2, in preventing COVID-19 and reducing the risk of severe illness and death.

From the Research

Implications of BNT162b2 Uptake by Human Liver Cells

• The study 2 investigated the effect of BNT162b2 on human liver cell line Huh7 in vitro and found that BNT162b2 mRNA is reverse transcribed intracellularly into DNA in as fast as 6 hours upon BNT162b2 exposure.
• The results indicate a fast uptake of BNT162b2 into human liver cell line Huh7, leading to changes in LINE-1 expression and distribution.
• Another study 3 found no evidence of an increased risk of acute liver injury associated with BNT162b2 or CoronaVac vaccination, and the benefit of mass vaccination far outweighs the ALI risk from vaccination.

Potential Risks and Effects

• A study 4 found that the BNT162b2 Covid-19 vaccine temporally impaired endothelial function but not vascular smooth muscle function, and the impaired endothelial function returned to the baseline level within six months after vaccination.
• Another study 5 found that the incidence of side effects in cancer patients who received the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is similar to what has been reported for the general public, and the vaccine is safe in oncologic patients undergoing numerous cancer treatments.
• The safety and efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine have been established in a large clinical trial 6, which found that the vaccine is 95% effective in preventing Covid-19 and has a similar safety profile to other viral vaccines.

Key Findings

• BNT162b2 mRNA is reverse transcribed into DNA in human liver cells 2.
• No increased risk of acute liver injury associated with BNT162b2 vaccination 3.
• Temporal impairment of endothelial function after BNT162b2 vaccination, with return to baseline within six months 4.
• Safety of BNT162b2 vaccine in oncologic patients undergoing numerous cancer treatments 5.
• Established safety and efficacy of BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine in a large clinical trial 6.