Abstract
The antigenic variation of influenza virus represents a major health problem. However, the extracellular domain of the minor, virus-coded M2 protein is nearly invariant in all influenza A strains. We genetically fused this M2 domain to the hepatitis B virus core (HBc) protein to create fusion gene coding for M2HBc; this gene was efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli. Intraperitoneal or intranasal administration of purified M2HBc particles to mice provided 90-100% protection against a lethal virus challenge. The protection was mediated by antibodies, as it was transferable by serum. The enhanced immunogenicity of the M2 extracellular domain exposed on HBc particles allows broad-spectrum, long-lasting protection against influenza A infections.
MeSH terms
-
Administration, Intranasal
-
Amino Acid Sequence
-
Animals
-
Antibodies, Viral / blood
-
Escherichia coli / genetics
-
Hepatitis B Core Antigens / genetics
-
Immunization, Passive
-
Influenza A virus / immunology*
-
Influenza Vaccines / therapeutic use*
-
Injections, Intraperitoneal
-
Lung / virology
-
Mice
-
Mice, Inbred BALB C
-
Molecular Sequence Data
-
Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control*
-
Peptide Fragments / genetics
-
Peptide Fragments / immunology
-
Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
-
Vaccination
-
Viral Matrix Proteins / genetics
-
Viral Matrix Proteins / immunology*
Substances
-
Antibodies, Viral
-
Hepatitis B Core Antigens
-
Influenza Vaccines
-
M-protein, influenza virus
-
M2 protein, Influenza A virus
-
Peptide Fragments
-
Recombinant Fusion Proteins
-
Viral Matrix Proteins