Elicitation of Protective Antibodies against 20 Years of Future H3N2 Cocirculating Influenza Virus Variants in Ferrets Preimmune to Historical H3N2 Influenza Viruses

Abstract

After exposure to influenza virus, the host generates neutralizing anti-hemagglutinin (anti-HA) antibodies against that specific infecting influenza strain. These antibodies can also neutralize some, but not all, cocirculating strains. The goal of next-generation influenza vaccines, such as HA head-based COBRA, is to stimulate broadly protective neutralizing antibodies against all strains circulating within a subtype, in particular those that persist over multiple influenza seasons, without requiring an update to the vaccine. To mimic the human condition, COBRA HA virus-like particle vaccines were tested in ferrets that were previously exposed to historical H3N2 influenza viruses. In this model, these vaccines elicited broadly protective antibodies that neutralized cocirculating H3N2 influenza viruses isolated over a 20-year period. This is the first study to show the effectiveness of H3N3 COBRA HA vaccines in a host with preexisting immunity to influenza.