The Development of a Novel Broad-Spectrum Influenza Polypeptide Vaccine Based on Multi-Epitope Tandem Sequences
Background: Polypeptide vaccines have the potential to improve immune responses by targeting conserved and weakly immunogenic regions in antigens. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the efficacy of a novel influenza universal vaccine candidate consisting of multiple polypeptides derived from...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Song Zhao Junhao Luo Wenhui Guo Li Li Siyu Pu Libo Dong Wenfei Zhu Rongbao Gao |
| author_facet | Song Zhao Junhao Luo Wenhui Guo Li Li Siyu Pu Libo Dong Wenfei Zhu Rongbao Gao |
| author_sort | Song Zhao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Polypeptide vaccines have the potential to improve immune responses by targeting conserved and weakly immunogenic regions in antigens. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the efficacy of a novel influenza universal vaccine candidate consisting of multiple polypeptides derived from highly conserved regions of influenza virus proteins hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), and matrix protein 2 (M2). Methods: Immunoinformatics tools were used to screen conserved epitopes from different influenza virus subtypes (H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, H7N9, H9N2, and IBV). A polypeptide vaccine, P125-H, was constructed by linking multiple epitopes using Ii-Key technology. The immunogenicity of P125-H was assessed in mice using MF59-adjuvanted P125-H via intraperitoneal injection. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralizing antibody responses were measured, along with IFN-γ levels in spleen lymphocytes. Protective efficacy was evaluated using viral challenge with lethal doses of H1N1 and H7N9. Results: Mice immunized with P125-H generated high levels of HI and neutralizing antibodies against multiple influenza strains. IFN-γ production was significantly elevated in spleen lymphocytes upon stimulation with the vaccine. P125-H protected mice from influenza infection, reducing weight loss and the viral load in the lungs, mitigating lung pathology, and decreasing mortality. Conclusions: The P125-H vaccine induced broad cross-protection against multiple influenza strains and elicited robust immune responses. It demonstrates strong potential as a candidate for a universal influenza vaccine. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-740f53899b554e3b88cc9fad2d274df2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-393X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Vaccines |
| spelling | doaj-art-740f53899b554e3b88cc9fad2d274df22025-01-24T13:51:52ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2025-01-011318110.3390/vaccines13010081The Development of a Novel Broad-Spectrum Influenza Polypeptide Vaccine Based on Multi-Epitope Tandem SequencesSong Zhao0Junhao Luo1Wenhui Guo2Li Li3Siyu Pu4Libo Dong5Wenfei Zhu6Rongbao Gao7NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, ChinaNHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, ChinaNHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, ChinaNHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, ChinaNHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, ChinaNHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, ChinaNHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, ChinaNHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, ChinaBackground: Polypeptide vaccines have the potential to improve immune responses by targeting conserved and weakly immunogenic regions in antigens. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the efficacy of a novel influenza universal vaccine candidate consisting of multiple polypeptides derived from highly conserved regions of influenza virus proteins hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), and matrix protein 2 (M2). Methods: Immunoinformatics tools were used to screen conserved epitopes from different influenza virus subtypes (H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, H7N9, H9N2, and IBV). A polypeptide vaccine, P125-H, was constructed by linking multiple epitopes using Ii-Key technology. The immunogenicity of P125-H was assessed in mice using MF59-adjuvanted P125-H via intraperitoneal injection. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralizing antibody responses were measured, along with IFN-γ levels in spleen lymphocytes. Protective efficacy was evaluated using viral challenge with lethal doses of H1N1 and H7N9. Results: Mice immunized with P125-H generated high levels of HI and neutralizing antibodies against multiple influenza strains. IFN-γ production was significantly elevated in spleen lymphocytes upon stimulation with the vaccine. P125-H protected mice from influenza infection, reducing weight loss and the viral load in the lungs, mitigating lung pathology, and decreasing mortality. Conclusions: The P125-H vaccine induced broad cross-protection against multiple influenza strains and elicited robust immune responses. It demonstrates strong potential as a candidate for a universal influenza vaccine.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/1/81influenzauniversal influenza vaccinepolypeptide vaccinetandem epitopeshemagglutininneuraminidase |
| spellingShingle | Song Zhao Junhao Luo Wenhui Guo Li Li Siyu Pu Libo Dong Wenfei Zhu Rongbao Gao The Development of a Novel Broad-Spectrum Influenza Polypeptide Vaccine Based on Multi-Epitope Tandem Sequences Vaccines influenza universal influenza vaccine polypeptide vaccine tandem epitopes hemagglutinin neuraminidase |
| title | The Development of a Novel Broad-Spectrum Influenza Polypeptide Vaccine Based on Multi-Epitope Tandem Sequences |
| title_full | The Development of a Novel Broad-Spectrum Influenza Polypeptide Vaccine Based on Multi-Epitope Tandem Sequences |
| title_fullStr | The Development of a Novel Broad-Spectrum Influenza Polypeptide Vaccine Based on Multi-Epitope Tandem Sequences |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Development of a Novel Broad-Spectrum Influenza Polypeptide Vaccine Based on Multi-Epitope Tandem Sequences |
| title_short | The Development of a Novel Broad-Spectrum Influenza Polypeptide Vaccine Based on Multi-Epitope Tandem Sequences |
| title_sort | development of a novel broad spectrum influenza polypeptide vaccine based on multi epitope tandem sequences |
| topic | influenza universal influenza vaccine polypeptide vaccine tandem epitopes hemagglutinin neuraminidase |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/1/81 |
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