The potential of a universal influenza virus-like particle vaccine expressing a chimeric cytokine

Life Sci Alliance. 2022 Nov 7;6(1):e202201548. doi: 10.26508/lsa.202201548. Print 2023 Jan.

Abstract

The efficacy of the current influenza vaccines is frequently reduced because of antigenic drift, a trade-off of developing improved vaccines with broad cross-protective activity against influenza A viruses. In this study, we have successfully constructed a chimeric cytokine (CC) comprising the M2 protein, influenza A neuraminidase stalk, and interleukin-12. We produced virus-like particles (VLPs) containing CC and influenza hemagglutinin (HA) proteins using a baculovirus system in Eri silkworm pupae. The protective efficacy of the CCHA-VLP vaccine was evaluated in mice. The CCFkH5HA-VLP vaccine increased the survival rates of BALB/c mice, infected with a lethal dose of PRH1 and HKH5 viruses, to 80% and 100%, respectively. The results suggested that CCHA-VLP successfully induced potent cross-reactive protective immunity against infection with homologous and heterologous subtypes of the influenza A virus. This is the first study to design a CC-containing HA-VLP vaccine and validate its protective efficacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Cytokines
  • Hemagglutinins
  • Humans
  • Influenza Vaccines*
  • Influenza, Human* / prevention & control
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections* / prevention & control
  • Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle* / genetics

Substances

  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle
  • Cytokines
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Hemagglutinins