Universal Influenza Virus Neuraminidase Vaccine Elicits Protective Immune Responses against Human Seasonal and Pre-pandemic Strains
Amanda L. Skarlupka, Anne-Gaelle Bebin-Blackwell, Spencer F. Sumner, Ted M. Ross
Abstract
The development and distribution of a universal influenza vaccine would alleviate global economic and public health stress from annual influenza virus outbreaks. The influenza virus NA vaccine antigen allows for protection from multiple HA subtypes and virus host origins, but it has not been the focus of vaccine development. The N1-I NA antigen described here protected mice from direct challenge of four distinct influenza viruses and inhibited the enzymatic activity of an N1 influenza virus panel. The use of the NA antigen in combination with the HA antigen widens the breadth of protection against various virus strains. Therefore, this research opens the door to the development of a longer-lasting vaccine with increased protective breadth.