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A Method to Assess Fc-mediated Effector Functions Induced by Influenza Hemagglutinin Specific Antibodies
Published on: February 23, 2018
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Ferritin-Based HA DNA Vaccine Outperforms Conventional Designs in Inducing Protective Immunity Against Seasonal
Hongzhe Lin1, Yuxuan Jiang2, Yan Li3
1Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education & Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Vaccines
|July 30, 2025
Summary
New DNA vaccines using structured antigen display, like HA-Ferritin, show enhanced immunogenicity and protection against influenza. This approach offers a promising strategy for developing more effective influenza vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Vaccinology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Influenza poses a continuous public health threat due to rapid viral evolution (antigenic drift and shift).
- Current vaccines require frequent updates; novel platforms are needed for broad and durable immunity.
- Hemagglutinin (HA) is the primary target for influenza vaccines, but effective antigen presentation is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of different DNA vaccine strategies for influenza.
- To evaluate structured HA antigen display using T4 fibritin (HA-Foldon) and ferritin nanoparticles (HA-Ferritin) against monomeric HA DNA vaccines.
Main Methods:
- Design and construction of DNA vaccines encoding monomeric HA, HA-Foldon, and HA-Ferritin.
- Systematic comparison of immunogenicity (antibody and T cell responses) and protective efficacy in a mouse model.
- Assessment of vaccine-induced protection against influenza challenge, including weight loss, viral load, and survival.
Main Results:
- HA-Ferritin exhibited superior structural stability compared to other constructs.
- While all vaccines induced HA-specific antibodies, HA-Ferritin generated higher neutralizing antibodies and stronger T cell responses.
- Mice vaccinated with HA-Ferritin showed significant protection, reduced lung viral loads, and prevented weight loss; HA-Foldon offered partial protection, while monomeric HA provided limited efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Structured antigen display, particularly using HA-Ferritin nanoparticles, significantly enhances the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of influenza DNA vaccines.
- The HA-Ferritin DNA vaccine represents a promising advancement for developing next-generation influenza vaccines.
- This study supports structured antigen presentation as a key strategy for improving vaccine design against rapidly evolving viruses.
