Unconjugated Multi-Epitope Peptides Adjuvanted with ALFQ Induce Durable and Broadly Reactive Antibodies to Human and Avian Influenza Viruses
Author:
Rikhi Nimisha1, Sei Clara J.1, Rao Mangala2, Schuman Richard F.3, Kroscher Kellie A.1, Matyas Gary R.2ORCID, Muema Kevin1, Lange Camille24, Assiaw-Dufu Aba1, Hussin Elizabeth24, Jobe Ousman24, Alving Carl R.2, Fischer Gerald W.1
Affiliation:
1. Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA 2. U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA 3. Antibody and Immunoassay Consultants, Rockville, MD 20850, USA 4. Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
Abstract
An unconjugated composite peptide vaccine targeting multiple conserved influenza epitopes from hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, and matrix protein and formulated with a safe and highly potent adjuvant, Army Liposome formulation (ALFQ), generated broad and durable immune responses in outbred mice. The antibodies recognized specific epitopes in influenza peptides and several human, avian, and swine influenza viruses. Comparable antibody responses to influenza viruses were observed with intramuscular and intradermal routes of vaccine administration. The peptide vaccine induced cross-reactive antibodies that recognized influenza virus subtypes A/H1N1, A/H3N2, A/H5N1, B/Victoria, and B/Yamagata. In addition, immune sera neutralized seasonal and pandemic influenza strains (Group 1 and Group 2). This composite multi-epitope peptide vaccine, formulated with ALFQ and administered via intramuscular and intradermal routes, provides a high-performance supra-seasonal vaccine that would be cost-effective and easily scalable, thus moving us closer to a viable strategy for a universal influenza vaccine and pandemic preparedness.
Funder
Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics, LLC the U.S. Department of Defense the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc.
Subject
Pharmacology (medical),Infectious Diseases,Drug Discovery,Pharmacology,Immunology
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