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Protection against Influenza A Virus Challenge with M2e-Displaying Filamentous Escherichia coli Phages

Lei Deng1, Lorena Itatí Ibañez1, Veronique Van den Bossche1

  • 1Medical Biotechnology Center, VIB, Technologiepark 927, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, Ghent, Belgium.

Plos One
|May 15, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Researchers developed a novel universal influenza A vaccine using bacteriophage carriers displaying a conserved M2e epitope. This economical approach successfully immunized mice, offering protection against both human and avian influenza A virus strains.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Influenza A viruses cause global epidemics and pandemics, necessitating effective vaccines.
  • The extracellular domain of Matrix protein 2 (M2e) is a conserved target for a universal influenza A vaccine.
  • Current vaccine development faces challenges in cost and purification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To create an economical and easily purified M2e-based universal influenza A vaccine.
  • To utilize filamentous bacteriophages as carriers for displaying M2e epitopes.

Main Methods:

  • Genetically fused M2e (amino acids 2-16) to the N-terminus of bacteriophage f88's pVIII coat protein.
  • Produced replication-competent recombinant f88-M2e2-16 phages displaying M2e on their surface.
  • Immunized BALB/c mice with purified f88-M2e2-16 phages and incomplete Freund's adjuvant.

Main Results:

  • Recombinant f88-M2e2-16 phages were replication competent and successfully displayed the M2e epitope.
  • Immunization induced robust M2e-specific serum IgG responses in mice.
  • Vaccinated mice were protected against challenge with both human and avian influenza A viruses.

Conclusions:

  • Replication-competent filamentous bacteriophages are effective and economical carriers for displaying conserved influenza A B cell epitopes.
  • This phage-based platform shows promise for developing a universal influenza A vaccine.

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