A novel liposomal influenza vaccine (INFLUSOME-VAC) containing hemagglutinin-neuraminidase and IL-2 or GM-CSF induces protective anti-neuraminidase antibodies cross-reacting with a wide spectrum of influenza A viral strains

Ilan Babai, Yechezkel Barenholz, Zichria Zakay-Rones, Evgenia Greenbaum, Sarit Samira, Igal Hayon, Mark Rochman, Eli Kedar*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

A liposomal influenza vaccine (INFLUSOME-VAC) was developed with the objective of overcoming the major drawbacks of the currently used influenza vaccines: their relatively low efficacy in certain high-risk groups (the elderly, infants, the immunosuppressed) and the need for annual immunization. INFLUSOME-VAC consists of liposomes containing the viral surface proteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) derived from various influenza strains and IL-2 or GM-CSF, as an adjuvant. Vaccination of mice showed that, whereas conventional vaccines induced a low- and short-term response against HA and very low or no anti-NA response, INFLUSOME-VAC produced high titers of both anti-HA and anti-NA antibodies (Abs) in young and old mice that persisted for at least 6 months. Moreover, the anti-NA Abs efficiently cross-reacted with several N2 viral subtypes spanning 20 years, and such vaccines afforded partial protection against heterosubtypic viral infection.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)505-515
Number of pages11
JournalVaccine
Volume20
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 12 Nov 2001

Keywords

  • Cytokines
  • Influenza vaccine
  • Liposomes
  • Neuraminidase

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