Influenza A virus lacking M2 protein as a live attenuated vaccine

Mutant influenza virus that lacks the transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail domains of M2 (M2 knockout [M2KO]) is attenuated in both cell culture and mice. Here, we examined the potency of M2KO influenza virus as a live attenuated influenza vaccine. M2KO virus grew as efficiently as the wild-type virus in cells stably expressing the wild-type M2, indicating the feasibility of efficient vaccine production. Mice intranasally vaccinated with M2KO virus developed protective immune responses and survived a lethal challenge with the wild-type virus, suggesting that the M2KO virus has potential as a live attenuated vaccine.