Development of a live-attenuated influenza B DeltaNS1 intranasal vaccine candidate

Vaccine. 2009 May 11;27(21):2851-7. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.02.087. Epub 2009 Mar 11.

Abstract

We discovered a unique, single amino acid mutation in the influenza B M1 protein promoting viral growth of NS1 truncation mutants in Vero cells. Due to this mutation, we were able to generate an influenza B virus lacking the complete NS1 open reading frame (DeltaNS1-B virus) by reverse genetics, which was growing to titers of 8log(10)TCID(50)/ml in a Vero cell culture-based micro-carrier fermenter. The DeltaNS1-B vaccine candidate was attenuated in IFN-competent hosts such as human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) similar to influenza A DeltaNS1 viruses. In ferrets, the DeltaNS1-B virus was replication-deficient and did not provoke any clinical symptoms. Importantly, a single intranasal immunization of ferrets at a dose as low as 6 log(10)TCID(50)/animal induced a significant HAI response and provided protection against challenge with wild-type influenza B virus. So far, the lack of a DeltaNS1-B virus component growing to high titers in cell culture has been limiting the possibility to formulate a trivalent vaccine based on deletion of the NS1 gene. Our study closes this gap and paves the way for the clinical evaluation of a seasonal, trivalent, live replication-deficient DeltaNS1 intranasal influenza vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Ferrets / immunology
  • Humans
  • Influenza B virus / genetics
  • Influenza B virus / immunology*
  • Influenza B virus / metabolism
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Influenza Vaccines / immunology*
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / immunology
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control
  • Vaccines, Attenuated / genetics
  • Vaccines, Attenuated / immunology
  • Vaccines, Attenuated / metabolism
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / immunology*
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • INS1 protein, influenza virus
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Attenuated
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins