Park J, Champion JA. Development of Self-Assembled Protein Nanocage Spatially Functionalized with HA Stalk as a Broadly
Cross-Reactive Influenza Vaccine Platform.
ACS Nano 2023;
17:25045-25060. [PMID:
38084728 PMCID:
PMC10753887 DOI:
10.1021/acsnano.3c07669]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
There remains a need for the development of a universal influenza vaccine, as current seasonal influenza vaccines exhibit limited protection against mismatched, mutated, or pandemic influenza viruses. A desirable approach to developing an effective universal influenza vaccine is the incorporation of highly conserved antigens in a multivalent scaffold that enhances their immunogenicity. Here, we develop a broadly cross-reactive influenza vaccine by functionalizing self-assembled protein nanocages (SAPNs) with multiple copies of the hemagglutinin stalk on the outer surface and matrix protein 2 ectodomain on the inner surface. SAPNs were generated by engineering short coiled coils, and the design was simulated by MD GROMACS. Due to the short sequences, off-target immune responses against empty SAPN scaffolds were not seen in immunized mice. Vaccination with the multivalent SAPNs induces high levels of broadly cross-reactive antibodies of only external antigens, demonstrating tight spatial control over the designed antigen placement. This work demonstrates the use of SAPNs as a potential influenza vaccine.
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