Virus-like particles containing multiple M2 extracellular domains confer improved cross-protection against various subtypes of influenza virus

Mol Ther. 2013 Feb;21(2):485-92. doi: 10.1038/mt.2012.246. Epub 2012 Dec 18.

Abstract

The extracellular domain of M2 (M2e), a small ion channel membrane protein, is well conserved among different human influenza A virus strains. To improve the protective efficacy of M2e vaccines, we genetically engineered a tandem repeat of M2e epitope sequences (M2e5x) of human, swine, and avian origin influenza A viruses, which was expressed in a membrane-anchored form and incorporated in virus-like particles (VLPs). The M2e5x protein with the transmembrane domain of hemagglutinin (HA) was effectively incorporated into VLPs at a several 100-fold higher level than that on influenza virions. Intramuscular immunization with M2e5x VLP vaccines was highly effective in inducing M2e-specific antibodies reactive to different influenza viruses, mucosal and systemic immune responses, and cross-protection regardless of influenza virus subtypes in the absence of adjuvant. Importantly, immune sera were found to be sufficient for conferring protection in naive mice, which was long-lived and cross-protective. Thus, molecular designing and presenting M2e immunogens on VLPs provide a promising platform for developing universal influenza vaccines without using adjuvants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cross Protection*
  • Cross Reactions
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune Sera / genetics
  • Immune Sera / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / immunology*
  • Influenza Vaccines / immunology*
  • Influenza Vaccines / pharmacology
  • Influenza, Human / immunology
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Organisms, Genetically Modified
  • Spodoptera / genetics
  • Tandem Repeat Sequences
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / genetics*
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / immunology
  • Virion / chemistry
  • Virion / immunology*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Immune Sera
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Viral Matrix Proteins