Open AccessA single-shot vaccine approach for the universal influenza A vaccine candidate M2e
Author(s) -
Ranmali Kavishna,
Tha Yang Kang,
Maurizio Vacca,
Benson Chua,
Hae-Young Park,
Peter Tan,
Vincent T. K. Chow,
Mireille H. Lahoud,
Sylvie Alonso
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2025607119
Subject(s) - virology , influenza vaccine , computational biology , biology , vaccination
Significance Although the need for a universal influenza vaccine has long been recognized, only a handful of candidates have been identified so far, with even fewer advancing in the clinical pipeline. The 24–amino acid ectodomain of M2 protein (M2e) has been developed over the past two decades. However, M2e-based vaccine candidates have shortcomings, including the need for several administrations and the lack of sustained antibody titers over time. We report here a vaccine targeting strategy that has the potential to confer sustained and strong protection upon a single shot of a small amount of M2e antigen. The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of developing versatile, powerful platforms for the rapid deployment of vaccines against any incoming threat.