Influenza M1 VLPs containing neuraminidase induce heterosubtypic cross-protection

• Authors: Fu-Shi Quan, Kyung Hee University; Min-Chul Kim, Emory University; Byeong-Jae Lee, Emory University; Jae-Min Song, Sungshin Women's University; Richard Compans, Emory University; Sang-Moo Kang, Georgia State University
• Journal Title: Virology
• Volume: Volume 430, Number 2
• Publisher: Elsevier | 2012-06-02, Pages 127-135
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2012.05.006
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Immunology; Biology, Microbiology
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Virology; VIROLOGY; Influenza; Virus-like particles; Neuraminidase; Protection; VIRUS-LIKE PARTICLES; INTRAVIRIONIC ANTIGENIC-COMPETITION; EXPRESSING H5 HEMAGGLUTININ; BROADENED IMMUNE-RESPONSE; A VIRUS; AVIAN INFLUENZA; LETHAL INFLUENZA; DENDRITIC CELLS; VIRAL NEURAMINIDASE; ANTIBODY-RESPONSE

Abstract

Influenza virus like particles (VLPs) containing hemagglutinin were previously demonstrated to induce protection against the homologous strains. However, little information is available on the protective role of neuraminidase (NA), the second major glycoprotein. In this study, we developed VLPs (NA VLPs) containing NA and M1 derived from A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) influenza virus, and investigated their ability to induce protective immunity. Intranasal immunization with NA VLPs induced serum antibody responses to H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses as well as significant neuraminidase inhibition activity. Importantly, mice immunized with NA VLPs were 100% protected against lethal infection by the homologous A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) as well as heterosubtypic A/Philippines/82 (H3N2) virus, although body weight loss was observed after lethal challenge with heterosubtypic H3N2 virus. The present study therefore provides evidence that influenza VLPs containing M1 and NA are capable of inducing immunity to homologous as well as antigenically di stinct influenza A virus strains. © 2012 Elsevier Inc..