Mosaic Hemagglutinin-Based Influenza B mRNA-LNP Vaccine Induces Strong Humoral Immune Response in Non-Human Primates

Developing broadly protective influenza vaccines remains a major challenge for global public health. Influenza B viruses cause about one-third of all annual influenza virus infections and current vaccines only show moderate effectiveness against matched virus strains, therefore, development of more effective and broadly protective vaccines against them is important. Chimeric and mosaic hemagglutinin (cHA and mHA) immunogens are under investigation as broadly protective influenza B vaccine candidates. The lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated nucleoside-modified mRNA technology has recently revolutionized vaccination and gained widespread interest due to its successful use in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Here, we evaluated influenza B cHA and mHA mRNA-LNP vaccines in non-human primates and compared their immunogenicity to a quadrivalent seasonal influenza virus vaccine. mHA mRNA-LNPs induced high binding antibody titers against antigenically distant influenza B virus strains, with significant hemagglutination inhibition and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity activity and provided protection in mice in a serum transfer challenge experiment. This approach shows great promise for developing broadly protective influenza B vaccines.

Abstract from PubMed (PMID 42995487). This entry was added automatically by our daily literature monitor because it matches the topics we follow; read the full paper at the original source.