Influenza is a major public health risk. The current seasonal influenza vaccine is effective against closely matched viruses in healthy adults, but it cannot prevent the outbreaks of epidemics or pandemics because influenza viruses mutate frequently and zoonotic strains can jump the species barrier into humans. Other disadvantages of the seasonal influenza vaccine include the need to produce new vaccines every season, the uncertainty in selecting vaccine strains, and the compromised efficacy for mismatched viruses. A novel generation of influenza vaccines, termed universal influenza vaccines, will overcome these challenges. In the previous grant period, we have produced layered protein nanoparticles (nanoclusters) from conserved HA stalk antigens and the M2 protein ectodomain of influenza A. Nanocluster immunizations induced cross protection against viruses from both phylogenic groups of influenza A, including pandemic-potential avian strains. Both influenza A and influenza B cause influenza epidemics in humans. In this proposal, we propose to construct a multivalent layered nanocluster formulation composed of newly designed antigenic proteins from both influenza A and influenza B as a universal influenza vaccine. The new vaccine will induce broad cross- protection against both influenza types. We have three specific aims:
Aim 1. To design and construct conserved antigens from influenza A and B, fabricate nanoclusters from these and previously designed antigenic proteins, and characterize these new nanoclusters. We will optimize the orchestration, composition, and stability of these nanoclusters for the physiologically-activated release of free antigenic proteins, antigen-processing and presentation after the uptake by dendritic cells, distribution of these nanoclusters to draining lymph nodes, and induction of strong antigen-specific immune responses in mice.
Aim 2. To test whether these layered nanoclusters or an optimal combination will induce broadly reactive immune responses and whether the immunity will grant cross-protection against viruses spanning both influenza A and influenza B in mice.
Aim 3. To test whether the leading multivalent nanocluster combinations will induce robust immune responses which confer broad cross-protection in ferrets. Overall, our research will develop a broadly cross-protective universal influenza vaccine.

Public Health Relevance

?Influenza is the leading cause of death by infection. We will develop a protein nanoparticle universal influenza vaccine composed of newly designed influenza antigens from both influenza A and influenza B to induce broadly reactive immunity. The implementation and success of the project will improve public health by granting broad cross-protection against both influenza epidemics and pandemics.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI101047-07
Application #
9966894
Study Section
Vaccines Against Microbial Diseases Study Section (VMD)
Program Officer
Gordon, Jennifer L
Project Start
2012-05-15
Project End
2024-06-30
Budget Start
2020-07-01
Budget End
2021-06-30
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Georgia State University
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
837322494
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30302
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Wang, Chao; Zhu, Wandi; Luo, Yuan et al. (2018) Gold nanoparticles conjugating recombinant influenza hemagglutinin trimers and flagellin enhanced mucosal cellular immunity. Nanomedicine 14:1349-1360
Deng, Lei; Mohan, Teena; Chang, Timothy Z et al. (2018) Double-layered protein nanoparticles induce broad protection against divergent influenza A viruses. Nat Commun 9:359
Zhu, Wandi; Pewin, Winston; Wang, Chao et al. (2017) A boosting skin vaccination with dissolving microneedle patch encapsulating M2e vaccine broadens the protective efficacy of conventional influenza vaccines. J Control Release 261:1-9
Chang, Timothy Z; Stadmiller, Samantha S; Staskevicius, Erika et al. (2017) Effects of ovalbumin protein nanoparticle vaccine size and coating on dendritic cell processing. Biomater Sci 5:223-233

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