Virus-like particles as universal influenza vaccines

• Authors: Sang-Moo Kang, Georgia State University; Min-Chul Kim, Emory University; Richard W Compans, Emory University
• Journal Title: Expert Review of Vaccines
• Volume: Volume 11, Number 8
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis: STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles - No Open Select | 2012-08-01, Pages 995-1007
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1586/ERV.12.70
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Immunology; Biology, General
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Immunology; adjuvant; HA stalk domain; influenza; M2; NA; universal vaccine; VLPs; T-CELL RESPONSES; HEMAGGLUTININ MEMBRANE GLYCOPROTEIN; INTRAVIRIONIC ANTIGENIC-COMPETITION; EXPRESSING H5 HEMAGGLUTININ; PROTECTIVE IMMUNE-RESPONSES; M2 PROTON CHANNEL; A-VIRUS; DENDRITIC CELLS; AVIAN INFLUENZA; LETHAL INFLUENZA

Abstract

Current influenza vaccines are primarily targeted to induce immunity to the influenza virus strain-specific hemagglutinin antigen and are not effective in controlling outbreaks of new pandemic viruses. An approach for developing universal vaccines is to present highly conserved antigenic epitopes in an immunogenic conformation such as virus-like particles (VLPs) together with an adjuvant to enhance the vaccine immunogenicity. In this review, the authors focus on conserved antigenic targets and molecular adjuvants that were presented in VLPs. Conserved antigenic targets that include the hemagglutinin stalk domain, the external domain of influenza M2 and neuraminidase are discussed in addition to molecular adjuvants that are engineered to be incorporated into VLPs in a membrane-anchored form. © 2012 2012 Expert Reviews Ltd.