Neuraminidase-based recombinant virus-like particles protect against lethal avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection in ferrets

Virology. 2017 Sep:509:90-97. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2017.06.006. Epub 2017 Jun 16.

Abstract

Avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses represent a growing threat for an influenza pandemic. The presence of widespread avian influenza virus infections further emphasizes the need for vaccine strategies for control of pre-pandemic H5N1 and other avian influenza subtypes. Influenza neuraminidase (NA) vaccines represent a potential strategy for improving vaccines against avian influenza H5N1 viruses. To evaluate a strategy for NA vaccination, we generated a recombinant influenza virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine comprised of the NA protein of A/Indonesia/05/2005 (H5N1) virus. Ferrets vaccinated with influenza N1 NA VLPs elicited high-titer serum NA-inhibition (NI) antibody titers and were protected from lethal challenge with A/Indonesia/05/2005 virus. Moreover, N1-immune ferrets shed less infectious virus than similarly challenged control animals. In contrast, ferrets administered control N2 NA VLPs were not protected against H5N1 virus challenge. These results provide support for continued development of NA-based vaccines against influenza H5N1 viruses.

Keywords: Ferret; H5N1 influenza; Neuraminidase (NA); VLP vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Ferrets
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / immunology*
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Influenza Vaccines / genetics
  • Influenza Vaccines / immunology*
  • Neuraminidase / genetics
  • Neuraminidase / immunology*
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / genetics
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology
  • Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle / genetics
  • Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle / immunology*
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / immunology*
  • Virus Shedding

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Synthetic
  • Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle
  • Viral Proteins
  • NA protein, influenza A virus
  • Neuraminidase