Immunity and Protective Efficacy of a Plant-Based Tobacco Mosaic Virus-like Nanoparticle Vaccine against Influenza a Virus in Mice

Authors

• Adthakorn Madapong, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Erika M. Petro-Turnquist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Richard J. Webby, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• Allison A. McCormick, Touro University California
• Eric A. Weaver, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

9-24-2024

Citation

Madapong, A.; Petro- Turnquist, E.M.;Webby, R.J.; McCormick, A.A.;Weaver, E.A. Immunity and Protective Efficacy of a Plant-Based Tobacco Mosaic Virus-like Nanoparticle Vaccine against Influenza a Virus in Mice. Vaccines 2024, 12, 1100. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/vaccines12101100

Comments

Open access.

Abstract

Background: The rapid production of influenza vaccines is crucial to meet increasing pandemic response demands. Here, we developed plant-made vaccines comprising centralized consensus influenza hemagglutinin (HA-con) proteins (H1 and H3 subtypes) conjugated to a modified plant virus, tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) nanoparticle (TMV-HA-con). Methods: We compared immune responses and protective efficacy against historical H1 or H3 influenza A virus infections among TMV-HA-con, HA-con protein combined with AddaVax™ adjuvant, and whole-inactivated virus vaccine (Fluzone®). Results: Immunogenicity studies demonstrated robust IgG, IgM, and IgA responses in the TMV-HA-con and HA-con protein vaccinated groups, with relatively low induction of interferon (IFN)-γ⁺ T-cell responses across all vaccinated groups. The TMV-HA-con and HA-con protein groups displayed partial protection (100% and 80% survival) with minimal weight loss following challenge with two H1N1 strains. The HA-con protein group exhibited 80% and 100% survival against two H3 strains, whereas the TMV-HA-con groups showed reduced protection (20% survival). The Fluzone® group conferred 20–100% survival against two H1N1 strains and one H3N1 strain, but did not protect against H3N2 infection. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that TMV-HA and HA-con protein vaccines with adjuvant induce protective immune responses against influenza A virus infections. Furthermore, our results underscore the potential of plant-based production using TMV-like nanoparticles for developing influenza A virus candidate vaccines.