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Article
Nature Medicine 5, 1157 - 1163 (1999)
doi:10.1038/13484
A universal influenza A vaccine based on the extracellular domain of the M2 protein
Sabine Neirynck1, Tom Deroo1, Xavier Saelens1, Peter Vanlandschoot1,2, Willy Min Jou1 & Walter Fiers1
Abstract
The antigenic variation of influenza virus represents a major health problem. However, the extracellular domain of the minor, virus-coded M2 protein is nearly invariant in all influenza A strains. We genetically fused this M2 domain to the hepatitis B virus core (HBc) protein to create fusion gene coding for M2HBc; this gene was efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli. Intraperitoneal or intranasal administration of purified M2HBc particles to mice provided 90–100% protection against a lethal virus challenge. The protection was mediated by antibodies, as it was transferable by serum. The enhanced immunogenicity of the M2 extracellular domain exposed on HBc particles allows broad-spectrum, long-lasting protection against influenza A infections.
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