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Uno N, Ross TM. Multivalent next generation influenza virus vaccines protect against seasonal and pre-pandemic viruses. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1440. [PMID: 38228649 PMCID: PMC10792005 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-51024-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Each year, new influenza virus vaccine formulations are generated to keep up with continuously circulating and mutating viral variants. A next-generation influenza virus vaccine would provide long-lasting, broadly-reactive immune protection against current and future influenza virus strains for both seasonal and pre-pandemic viruses. Next generation immunogens were designed using computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) methodology to protect against a broad range of strains over numerous seasons. Novel HA and NA amino acid sequences were derived from multilayered consensus sequence alignment for multiple subtypes of influenza. This multivalent formulation was hypothesized to elicit broadly protective immune responses against both seasonal and pre-pandemic influenza viruses. Mice were vaccinated with multivalent mixtures of HA and NA (H1, H2, H3, H5, H7, N1, N2) proteins. Multivalent COBRA vaccinations elicited antibodies that recognized a broad panel of strains and vaccinated mice were protected against viruses representing multiple subtypes. This is a promising candidate for a universal influenza vaccine that elicits protective immune responses against seasonal and pre-pandemic strains over multiple seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Uno
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Infection Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ted M Ross
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic Florida, 9801 SW Discovery Way, Port Saint Lucie, FL, 34986, USA.
- Department of Infection Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Zhang X, Ross TM. Anti-neuraminidase immunity in the combat against influenza. Expert Rev Vaccines 2024; 23:474-484. [PMID: 38632930 PMCID: PMC11157429 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2024.2343689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anti-neuraminidase (NA) immunity correlates with the protection against influenza virus infection in both human and animal models. The aim of this review is to better understand the mechanism of anti-NA immunity, and also to evaluate the approaches on developing NA-based influenza vaccines or enhancing immune responses against NA for current influenza vaccines. AREAS COVERED In this review, the structure of influenza neuraminidase, the contribution of anti-NA immunity to protection, as well as the efforts and challenges of targeting the immune responses to NA were discussed. We also listed some of the newly discovered anti-NA monoclonal antibodies and discussed their contribution in therapeutic as well as the antigen design of a broadly protective NA vaccine. EXPERT OPINION Targeting the immune response to both HA and NA may be critical for achieving the optimal protection since there are different mechanisms of HA and NA elicited protective immunity. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target the conserved protective lateral face or catalytic sites are effective therapeutics. The epitope discovery using monoclonal antibodies may benefit NA-based vaccine elicited broadly reactive antibody responses. Therefore, the potential for a vaccine that elicits cross-reactive antibodies against neuraminidase is a high priority for next-generation influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojian Zhang
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Ted M. Ross
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA
- Department of Infection Biology, Lehner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Wang D, Deng Y, Zhou J, Wang W, Huang B, Wang W, Wei L, Ren J, Han R, Bing J, Zhai C, Guo X, Tan W. Single-Dose Intranasal Immunisation with Novel Chimeric H1N1 Expressing the Receptor-Binding Domain of SARS-CoV-2 Induces Robust Mucosal Immunity, Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells, and Heterologous Protection in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1453. [PMID: 37766130 PMCID: PMC10537001 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Current COVID-19 vaccines can effectively reduce disease severity and hospitalisation; however, they are not considerably effective in preventing infection and transmission. In this context, mucosal vaccines are pertinent to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and spread. In this study, we generated a replication-competent recombinant chimeric influenza A virus (IAV) expressing the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of a SARS-CoV-2 prototype in the C-terminus of the neuraminidase (NA) of A/Puerto Rico/08/1934 H1N1 (PR8). The remaining seven segments from A/WSN/1933 H1N1 (WSN) were named PR8NARBD/WSN. We observed that the recombinant virus with the WSN backbone demonstrated improved expression of NA and RBD. A single intranasal dose of PR8NARBD/WSN(103PFU) in mice generated robust mucosal immunity, neutralising antibodies, cellular immunity, and tissue-resident memory T cells specific to SARS-CoV-2 and IAV. Importantly, immunisation with PR8NARBD/WSN viruses effectively protected mice against lethal challenges with H1N1, H3N2 IAV, and SARS-CoV-2 Beta variant and significantly reduced lung viral loads. Overall, our research demonstrates the promising potential of PR8NARBD/WSN as an attractive vaccine against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and influenza A virus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, 155 Changbai Road, Beijing 102206, China; (D.W.)
| | - Yao Deng
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, 155 Changbai Road, Beijing 102206, China; (D.W.)
| | - Jianfang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Chinese National Influenza Center, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, 155 Changbai Road, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, 155 Changbai Road, Beijing 102206, China; (D.W.)
| | - Baoying Huang
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, 155 Changbai Road, Beijing 102206, China; (D.W.)
| | - Wenling Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, 155 Changbai Road, Beijing 102206, China; (D.W.)
| | - Lan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, 155 Changbai Road, Beijing 102206, China; (D.W.)
| | - Jiao Ren
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, 155 Changbai Road, Beijing 102206, China; (D.W.)
| | - Ruiwen Han
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, 155 Changbai Road, Beijing 102206, China; (D.W.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jialuo Bing
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, 155 Changbai Road, Beijing 102206, China; (D.W.)
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Chengcheng Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, 155 Changbai Road, Beijing 102206, China; (D.W.)
| | - Xiaoyan Guo
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, 155 Changbai Road, Beijing 102206, China; (D.W.)
| | - Wenjie Tan
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, 155 Changbai Road, Beijing 102206, China; (D.W.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
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Beicht J, Kubinski M, Zdora I, Puff C, Biermann J, Gerlach T, Baumgärtner W, Sutter G, Osterhaus ADME, Prajeeth CK, Rimmelzwaan GF. Induction of humoral and cell-mediated immunity to the NS1 protein of TBEV with recombinant Influenza virus and MVA affords partial protection against lethal TBEV infection in mice. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1177324. [PMID: 37483628 PMCID: PMC10360051 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1177324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is one of the most relevant tick-transmitted neurotropic arboviruses in Europe and Asia and the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Annually more than 10,000 TBE cases are reported despite having vaccines available. In Europe, the vaccines FSME-IMMUN® and Encepur® based on formaldehyde-inactivated whole viruses are licensed. However, demanding vaccination schedules contribute to sub-optimal vaccination uptake and breakthrough infections have been reported repeatedly. Due to its immunogenic properties as well as its role in viral replication and disease pathogenesis, the non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of flaviviruses has become of interest for non-virion based flavivirus vaccine candidates in recent years. Methods Therefore, immunogenicity and protective efficacy of TBEV NS1 expressed by neuraminidase (NA)-deficient Influenza A virus (IAV) or Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vectors were investigated in this study. Results With these recombinant viral vectors TBEV NS1-specific antibody and T cell responses were induced. Upon heterologous prime/boost regimens partial protection against lethal TBEV challenge infection was afforded in mice. Discussion This supports the inclusion of NS1 as a vaccine component in next generation TBEV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Beicht
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mareike Kubinski
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Isabel Zdora
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover Graduate School for Neurosciences, Infection Medicine, and Veterinary Sciences (HGNI), Hannover, Germany
| | - Christina Puff
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jeannine Biermann
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Gerlach
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover Graduate School for Neurosciences, Infection Medicine, and Veterinary Sciences (HGNI), Hannover, Germany
| | - Gerd Sutter
- Division of Virology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Albert D. M. E. Osterhaus
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Chittappen Kandiyil Prajeeth
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Guus F. Rimmelzwaan
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
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Abbadi N, Mousa JJ. Broadly Protective Neuraminidase-Based Influenza Vaccines and Monoclonal Antibodies: Target Epitopes and Mechanisms of Action. Viruses 2023; 15:200. [PMID: 36680239 PMCID: PMC9861061 DOI: 10.3390/v15010200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuraminidase (NA) is an important surface protein on influenza virions, playing an essential role in the viral life cycle and being a key target of the immune system. Despite the importance of NA-based immunity, current vaccines are focused on the hemagglutinin (HA) protein as the target for protective antibodies, and the amount of NA is not standardized in virion-based vaccines. Antibodies targeting NA are predominantly protective, reducing infection severity and viral shedding. Recently, NA-specific monoclonal antibodies have been characterized, and their target epitopes have been identified. This review summarizes the characteristics of NA, NA-specific antibodies, the mechanism of NA inhibition, and the recent efforts towards developing NA-based and NA-incorporating influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Abbadi
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jarrod J. Mousa
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Skarlupka AL, Zhang X, Blas-Machado U, Sumner SF, Ross TM. Multi-Influenza HA Subtype Protection of Ferrets Vaccinated with an N1 COBRA-Based Neuraminidase. Viruses 2023; 15:184. [PMID: 36680224 PMCID: PMC9865009 DOI: 10.3390/v15010184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The influenza neuraminidase (NA) is a promising target for next-generation vaccines. Protection induced by vaccination with the computationally optimized broadly reactive NA antigen (N1-I COBRA NA) was characterized in both influenza serologically naive and pre-immune ferret models following H1N1 (A/California/07/2009, CA/09) or H5N1 (A/Vietnam/1203/2004, Viet/04) influenza challenges. The N1-I COBRA NA vaccine elicited antibodies with neutralizing ELLA activity against both seasonal and pandemic H1N1 influenza, as well as the H5N1 influenza virus. In both models, N1-I COBRA NA-vaccinated ferrets that were challenged with CA/09 virus had similar morbidity (weight loss and clinical symptoms) as ferrets vaccinated with the CA/09 HA control vaccine. There were significantly reduced viral titers compared to the mock-vaccinated control animals. Ferrets vaccinated with N1-I COBRA NA or Viet/04 NA vaccines were protected against the H5N1 virus infection with minimal clinical symptoms and negligible weight loss. In contrast, ferrets vaccinated with the CA/09 NA vaccine lost ~10% of their original body weight with 25% mortality. Vaccination with either HA or NA vaccines did not inhibit contact transmission of CA/09 virus to naïve cage mates. Overall, the N1-I COBRA vaccine elicited protective immune responses against both H1N1 and H5N1 infections and partially mitigated disease in contact-transmission receiving ferrets. These results indicate that the N1-I COBRA NA performed similarly to the CA/09 HA and NA positive controls. Therefore, the N1-I COBRA NA alone induces protection against viruses from both H5N1 and H1N1 subtypes, indicating its value as a vaccine component in broadly protective influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L. Skarlupka
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Xiaojian Zhang
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Uriel Blas-Machado
- Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Spencer F. Sumner
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Ted M. Ross
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34987, USA
- Department of Infection Biology, Lehner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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7
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Abbadi N, Nagashima K, Pena-Briseno A, Ross TM, Mousa JJ. Differential Recognition of Computationally Optimized H3 Hemagglutinin Influenza Vaccine Candidates by Human Antibodies. J Virol 2022; 96:e0089622. [PMID: 35916534 PMCID: PMC9400492 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00896-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Among circulating influenza viruses in humans, H3N2 viruses typically evolve faster than other subtypes and have caused disease in millions of people since emerging in 1968. Computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) technology is one strategy to broaden vaccine-elicited antibody responses among influenza subtypes. In this study, we determined the structural integrity of an H3N2 COBRA hemagglutinin (HA), TJ5, and we probed the antigenic profile of several H3N2 COBRA HAs by assessing recognition of these immunogens by human B cells from seasonally vaccinated human subjects. Of three recently described COBRA H3 HA antigens (TJ5, NG2, and J4), we determined that TJ5 and J4 HA proteins recognize pre-existing B cells more effectively than NG2 HA and a wild-type Hong Kong/4801/2014 protein. We also isolated a panel of 12 H3 HA-specific human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and identified that most MAbs recognize both wild-type and COBRA HA proteins and have functional activity against a broad panel of H3N2 viruses. Most MAbs target the receptor-binding site, and one MAb targets the HA stem. MAb TJ5-5 recognizes TJ5 and J4 COBRA HA proteins but has poor recognition of NG2 HA, similar to the global B-cell analysis. We determined a 3.4 Å structure via cryo-electron microscopy of Fab TJ5-5 complexed with the H3 COBRA TJ5, which revealed residues important to the differential binding. Overall, these studies determined that COBRA H3 HA proteins have correct antigenic and structural features, and the proteins are recognized by B cells and MAbs isolated from seasonally vaccinated humans. IMPORTANCE Vaccine development for circulating influenza viruses, particularly for the H3N2 subtype, remains challenging due to consistent antigenic drift. Computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) technology has proven effective for broadening influenza hemagglutinin (HA)-elicited antibody responses compared to wild-type immunogens. Here, we determined the structural features and antigenic profiles of H3 COBRA HA proteins. Two H3 COBRA HA proteins, TJ5 and J4, are better recognized by pre-existing B cells and monoclonal antibodies from the 2017 to 2018 vaccine season compared to COBRA NG2 and a wild-type A/Hong Kong/2014 HA protein. We determined a cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of one MAb that poorly recognizes NG2, MAb TJ5-5, in complex with the TJ5 COBRA HA protein and identified residues critical to MAb recognition. As NG2 is more effective than TJ5 for the recent Hong Kong/2019 virus, these data provide insights into the diminished effectiveness of influenza vaccines across vaccine seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Abbadi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Kaito Nagashima
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Alma Pena-Briseno
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Ted M. Ross
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Jarrod J. Mousa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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Carascal MB, Pavon RDN, Rivera WL. Recent Progress in Recombinant Influenza Vaccine Development Toward Heterosubtypic Immune Response. Front Immunol 2022; 13:878943. [PMID: 35663997 PMCID: PMC9162156 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.878943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Flu, a viral infection caused by the influenza virus, is still a global public health concern with potential to cause seasonal epidemics and pandemics. Vaccination is considered the most effective protective strategy against the infection. However, given the high plasticity of the virus and the suboptimal immunogenicity of existing influenza vaccines, scientists are moving toward the development of universal vaccines. An important property of universal vaccines is their ability to induce heterosubtypic immunity, i.e., a wide immune response coverage toward different influenza subtypes. With the increasing number of studies and mounting evidence on the safety and efficacy of recombinant influenza vaccines (RIVs), they have been proposed as promising platforms for the development of universal vaccines. This review highlights the current progress and advances in the development of RIVs in the context of heterosubtypic immunity induction toward universal vaccine production. In particular, this review discussed existing knowledge on influenza and vaccine development, current hemagglutinin-based RIVs in the market and in the pipeline, other potential vaccine targets for RIVs (neuraminidase, matrix 1 and 2, nucleoprotein, polymerase acidic, and basic 1 and 2 antigens), and deantigenization process. This review also provided discussion points and future perspectives in looking at RIVs as potential universal vaccine candidates for influenza.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark B Carascal
- Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.,Clinical and Translational Research Institute, The Medical City, Pasig City, Philippines
| | - Rance Derrick N Pavon
- Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Windell L Rivera
- Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
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Zhao Y, Zhao L, Li Y, Liu Q, Deng L, Lu Y, Zhang X, Li S, Ge J, Bu Z, Ping J. An influenza virus vector candidate vaccine stably expressing SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain produces high and long-lasting neutralizing antibodies in mice. Vet Microbiol 2022; 271:109491. [PMID: 35714529 PMCID: PMC9181763 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2022.109491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Viral infectious pathogens, such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza virus, can cause extremely high infection rates and mortality in humans. Therefore, it is urgent to develop an effective vaccine against coronavirus and influenza virus infection. Herein, we used the influenza virus as a vector to express the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) and hemagglutinin-esterase-fusion (HEF) protein of the influenza C virus. We then evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of this design strategy through experiments in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that the chimeric viruses could stably express the HEF protein and the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD at a high level. BALB/c mice, infected with the chimeric virus, exhibited mild clinical symptoms, yet produced high specific antibody levels against RBD and HEF, including neutralizing antibodies. Importantly, high neutralizing antibodies could be retained in the sera of mice for at least 20 weeks. Altogether, our data provided a new strategy for developing safe and effective COVID-19 and influenza virus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhen Zhao
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Lingcai Zhao
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Yingfei Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Qingzheng Liu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Lulu Deng
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Yuanlu Lu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Xiaoting Zhang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Shengmin Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Jinying Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China.
| | - Zhigao Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China.
| | - Jihui Ping
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunity of Jiangsu Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
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Diefenbacher M, Tan TJC, Bauer DLV, Stadtmueller BM, Wu NC, Brooke CB. Interactions between Influenza A Virus Nucleoprotein and Gene Segment Untranslated Regions Facilitate Selective Modulation of Viral Gene Expression. J Virol 2022; 96:e0020522. [PMID: 35467364 PMCID: PMC9131868 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00205-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The influenza A virus (IAV) genome is divided into eight negative-sense, single-stranded RNA segments. Each segment exhibits a unique level and temporal pattern of expression; however, the exact mechanisms underlying the patterns of individual gene segment expression are poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that a single substitution in the viral nucleoprotein (NP:F346S) selectively modulates neuraminidase (NA) gene segment expression while leaving other segments largely unaffected. Given what is currently known about NP function, there is no obvious explanation for how changes in NP can selectively modulate the replication of individual gene segments. In this study, we found that the specificity of this effect for the NA segment is virus strain specific and depends on the untranslated region (UTR) sequences of the NA segment. While the NP:F346S substitution did not significantly alter the RNA binding or oligomerization activities of NP in vitro, it specifically decreased the ability of NP to promote NA segment viral RNA (vRNA) synthesis. In addition to NP residue F346, we identified two other adjacent aromatic residues in NP (Y385 and F479) capable of similarly regulating NA gene segment expression, suggesting a larger role for this domain in gene-segment specific regulation. Our findings reveal a novel role for NP in selective regulation of viral gene segment replication and provide a framework for understanding how the expression patterns of individual viral gene segments can be modulated during adaptation to new host environments. IMPORTANCE Influenza A virus (IAV) is a respiratory pathogen that remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Escape from host immunity or emergence into new host species often requires mutations that modulate the functional activities of the viral glycoproteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), which are responsible for virus attachment to and release from host cells, respectively. Maintaining the functional balance between the activities of HA and NA is required for fitness across multiple host systems. Thus, selective modulation of viral gene expression patterns may be a key determinant of viral immune escape and cross-species transmission potential. We identified a novel mechanism by which the viral nucleoprotein (NP) gene can selectively modulate NA segment replication and gene expression through interactions with the segment UTRs. Our work highlights an unexpected role for NP in selective regulation of expression from the individual IAV gene segments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Diefenbacher
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Timothy J. C. Tan
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - David L. V. Bauer
- RNA Virus Replication Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Beth M. Stadtmueller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Nicholas C. Wu
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Christopher B. Brooke
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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11
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Ellis D, Lederhofer J, Acton OJ, Tsybovsky Y, Kephart S, Yap C, Gillespie RA, Creanga A, Olshefsky A, Stephens T, Pettie D, Murphy M, Sydeman C, Ahlrichs M, Chan S, Borst AJ, Park YJ, Lee KK, Graham BS, Veesler D, King NP, Kanekiyo M. Structure-based design of stabilized recombinant influenza neuraminidase tetramers. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1825. [PMID: 35383176 PMCID: PMC8983682 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29416-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) is a major antiviral drug target and has recently reemerged as a key target of antibody-mediated protective immunity. Here we show that recombinant NAs across non-bat subtypes adopt various tetrameric conformations, including an "open" state that may help explain poorly understood variations in NA stability across viral strains and subtypes. We use homology-directed protein design to uncover the structural principles underlying these distinct tetrameric conformations and stabilize multiple recombinant NAs in the "closed" state, yielding two near-atomic resolution structures of NA by cryo-EM. In addition to enhancing thermal stability, conformational stabilization improves affinity to protective antibodies elicited by viral infection, including antibodies targeting a quaternary epitope and the broadly conserved catalytic site. Stabilized NAs can also be integrated into viruses without affecting fitness. Our findings provide a deeper understanding of NA structure, stability, and antigenicity, and establish design strategies for reinforcing the conformational integrity of recombinant NA proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ellis
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Icosavax Inc., Seattle, WA, 98102, USA
| | - Julia Lederhofer
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Oliver J Acton
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Yaroslav Tsybovsky
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Sally Kephart
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Christina Yap
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Rebecca A Gillespie
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Adrian Creanga
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Audrey Olshefsky
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Tyler Stephens
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Deleah Pettie
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Michael Murphy
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Claire Sydeman
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Maggie Ahlrichs
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Sidney Chan
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Andrew J Borst
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Young-Jun Park
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Kelly K Lee
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Barney S Graham
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - David Veesler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Neil P King
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Masaru Kanekiyo
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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12
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Creytens S, Pascha MN, Ballegeer M, Saelens X, de Haan CAM. Influenza Neuraminidase Characteristics and Potential as a Vaccine Target. Front Immunol 2021; 12:786617. [PMID: 34868073 PMCID: PMC8635103 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.786617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuraminidase of influenza A and B viruses plays a critical role in the virus life cycle and is an important target of the host immune system. Here, we highlight the current understanding of influenza neuraminidase structure, function, antigenicity, immunogenicity, and immune protective potential. Neuraminidase inhibiting antibodies have been recognized as correlates of protection against disease caused by natural or experimental influenza A virus infection in humans. In the past years, we have witnessed an increasing interest in the use of influenza neuraminidase to improve the protective potential of currently used influenza vaccines. A number of well-characterized influenza neuraminidase-specific monoclonal antibodies have been described recently, most of which can protect in experimental challenge models by inhibiting the neuraminidase activity or by Fc receptor-dependent mechanisms. The relative instability of the neuraminidase poses a challenge for protein-based antigen design. We critically review the different solutions that have been proposed to solve this problem, ranging from the inclusion of stabilizing heterologous tetramerizing zippers to the introduction of inter-protomer stabilizing mutations. Computationally engineered neuraminidase antigens have been generated that offer broad, within subtype protection in animal challenge models. We also provide an overview of modern vaccine technology platforms that are compatible with the induction of robust neuraminidase-specific immune responses. In the near future, we will likely see the implementation of influenza vaccines that confront the influenza virus with a double punch: targeting both the hemagglutinin and the neuraminidase.
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MESH Headings
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antigenic Drift and Shift
- Antigens, Viral/immunology
- Antigens, Viral/ultrastructure
- Catalytic Domain/genetics
- Catalytic Domain/immunology
- Cross Protection
- Evolution, Molecular
- Humans
- Immunogenicity, Vaccine
- Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Influenza Vaccines/genetics
- Influenza Vaccines/immunology
- Influenza, Human/immunology
- Influenza, Human/prevention & control
- Influenza, Human/virology
- Alphainfluenzavirus/enzymology
- Alphainfluenzavirus/genetics
- Alphainfluenzavirus/immunology
- Betainfluenzavirus/enzymology
- Betainfluenzavirus/genetics
- Betainfluenzavirus/immunology
- Mutation
- Nanoparticles
- Neuraminidase/administration & dosage
- Neuraminidase/genetics
- Neuraminidase/immunology
- Neuraminidase/ultrastructure
- Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
- Vaccines, Synthetic/ultrastructure
- Viral Proteins/administration & dosage
- Viral Proteins/genetics
- Viral Proteins/immunology
- Viral Proteins/ultrastructure
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Creytens
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB)-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mirte N. Pascha
- Section Virology, Division Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marlies Ballegeer
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB)-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Xavier Saelens
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB)-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Cornelis A. M. de Haan
- Section Virology, Division Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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13
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Mazel-Sanchez B, Iwaszkiewicz J, Bonifacio JPP, Silva F, Niu C, Strohmeier S, Eletto D, Krammer F, Tan G, Zoete V, Hale BG, Schmolke M. Influenza A viruses balance ER stress with host protein synthesis shutoff. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2024681118. [PMID: 34479996 PMCID: PMC8433552 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2024681118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive production of viral glycoproteins during infections poses a tremendous stress potential on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein folding machinery of the host cell. The host cell balances this by providing more ER resident chaperones and reducing translation. For viruses, this unfolded protein response (UPR) offers the potential to fold more glycoproteins. We postulated that viruses could have developed means to limit the inevitable ER stress to a beneficial level for viral replication. Using a relevant human pathogen, influenza A virus (IAV), we first established the determinant for ER stress and UPR induction during infection. In contrast to a panel of previous reports, we identified neuraminidase to be the determinant for ER stress induction, and not hemagglutinin. IAV relieves ER stress by expression of its nonstructural protein 1 (NS1). NS1 interferes with the host messenger RNA processing factor CPSF30 and suppresses ER stress response factors, such as XBP1. In vivo viral replication is increased when NS1 antagonizes ER stress induction. Our results reveal how IAV optimizes glycoprotein expression by balancing folding capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beryl Mazel-Sanchez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Justyna Iwaszkiewicz
- Molecular Modelling Group, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joao P P Bonifacio
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Filo Silva
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Chengyue Niu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Shirin Strohmeier
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Davide Eletto
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Gene Tan
- Infectious Diseases, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Vincent Zoete
- Molecular Modelling Group, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin G Hale
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mirco Schmolke
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland;
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14
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The potential of neuraminidase as an antigen for nasal vaccines to increase cross-protection against influenza viruses. J Virol 2021; 95:e0118021. [PMID: 34379511 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01180-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the availability of vaccines that efficiently reduce the severity of clinical symptoms, influenza viruses still cause substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this regard, nasal influenza vaccines-because they induce virus-specific IgA-may be more effective than traditional parenteral formulations in preventing infection of the upper respiratory tract. In addition, the neuraminidase (NA) of influenza virus has shown promise as a vaccine antigen to confer broad cross-protection, in contrast to hemagglutinin (HA), the target of most current vaccines, which undergoes frequent antigenic changes leading to vaccine ineffectiveness against mismatched heterologous strains. However, the usefulness of NA as an antigen for nasal vaccines is unclear. Here, we compared NA and HA as antigens for nasal vaccines in mice. Intranasal immunization with recombinant NA (rNA) plus adjuvant protected mice against not only homologous but also heterologous virus challenge in the upper respiratory tract, whereas intranasal immunization with rHA failed to protect against heterologous challenge. In addition, intranasal immunization with rNA, but not rHA, conferred cross-protection even in the absence of adjuvant in virus infection-experienced mice; this strong cross-protection was due to the broader binding capacity of NA-specific antibodies to heterologous virus. Furthermore, the NA-specific IgA in the upper respiratory tract that was induced through rNA intranasal immunization recognized more epitopes than did the NA-specific IgG and IgA in plasma, again increasing cross-protection. Together, our findings suggest the potential of NA as an antigen for nasal vaccines to provide broad cross-protection against both homologous and heterologous influenza viruses. IMPORTANCE Because mismatch between vaccine strains and epidemic strains cannot always be avoided, the development of influenza vaccines that induce broad cross-protection against antigenically mismatched heterologous strains is needed. Although the importance of NA-specific antibodies to cross-protection in humans and experimental animals is becoming clear, the potential of NA as an antigen for providing cross-protection through nasal vaccines is unknown. We show here that intranasal immunization with NA confers broad cross-protection in the upper respiratory tract, where virus transmission is initiated, by inducing NA-specific IgA that recognizes a wide range of epitopes. These data shed new light on NA-based nasal vaccines as powerful anti-influenza tools that confer broad cross-protection.
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15
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Rajendran M, Krammer F, McMahon M. The Human Antibody Response to the Influenza Virus Neuraminidase Following Infection or Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9080846. [PMID: 34451971 PMCID: PMC8402431 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9080846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) is primarily involved in the release of progeny viruses from infected cells—a critical role for virus replication. Compared to the immuno-dominant hemagglutinin, there are fewer NA subtypes, and NA experiences a slower rate of antigenic drift and reduced immune selection pressure. Furthermore, NA inhibiting antibodies prevent viral egress, thus preventing viral spread. Anti-NA immunity can lessen disease severity, reduce viral shedding, and decrease viral lung titers in humans and various animal models. As a result, there has been a concerted effort to investigate the possibilities of incorporating immunogenic forms of NA as a vaccine antigen in future vaccine formulations. In this review, we discuss NA-based immunity and describe several human NA-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that have a broad range of protection. We also review vaccine platforms that are investigating NA antigens in pre-clinical models and their potential use for next-generation influenza virus vaccines. The evidence presented here supports the inclusion of immunogenic NA in future influenza virus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhusudan Rajendran
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Correspondence: (F.K.); (M.M.)
| | - Meagan McMahon
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
- Correspondence: (F.K.); (M.M.)
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16
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Gao J, Wan H, Li X, Rakic Martinez M, Klenow L, Gao Y, Ye Z, Daniels R. Balancing the influenza neuraminidase and hemagglutinin responses by exchanging the vaccine virus backbone. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009171. [PMID: 33872324 PMCID: PMC8084346 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Virions are a common antigen source for many viral vaccines. One limitation to using virions is that the antigen abundance is determined by the content of each protein in the virus. This caveat especially applies to viral-based influenza vaccines where the low abundance of the neuraminidase (NA) surface antigen remains a bottleneck for improving the NA antibody response. Our systematic analysis using recent H1N1 vaccine antigens demonstrates that the NA to hemagglutinin (HA) ratio in virions can be improved by exchanging the viral backbone internal genes, especially the segment encoding the polymerase PB1 subunit. The purified inactivated virions with higher NA content show a more spherical morphology, a shift in the balance between the HA receptor binding and NA receptor release functions, and induce a better NA inhibitory antibody response in mice. These results indicate that influenza viruses support a range of ratios for a given NA and HA pair which can be used to produce viral-based influenza vaccines with higher NA content that can elicit more balanced neutralizing antibody responses to NA and HA. Influenza vaccines are produced on a large scale to meet the annual U.S. and global demand. To efficiently produce the required number of influenza vaccine doses, virions are commonly used as the antigen source due to their high viral protein content. A draw-back to using virions is that the final antigen composition of the vaccine is determined by the inherent properties of the vaccine virus. While this approach for influenza vaccines is beneficial for the more abundant HA antigen, it likely limits the protective response generated by the less abundant NA antigen. Our results demonstrate that the NA and HA content in vaccine viruses can be optimized by changing the internal genes of the vaccine virus, thereby preserving the surface antigens. The increase in the virion NA content that was achieved elicited higher NA antibody titres and generated more balanced neutralizing antibody responses to HA and NA. Since HA and NA neutralizing antibodies are both protective, this approach could help to improve the suboptimal efficacy of current influenza vaccines and to generate vaccines that provide broader coverage against circulating strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Gao
- Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Hongquan Wan
- Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Xing Li
- Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Mira Rakic Martinez
- Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Laura Klenow
- Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yamei Gao
- Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Zhiping Ye
- Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Robert Daniels
- Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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