Multivalent Epigraph Hemagglutinin Vaccine Protects against Influenza B Virus in Mice

Authors

Erika M. Petro-Turnquist, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Brigette Corder Kampfe, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, North Arkansas College
Amber Gadeken, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Matthew J. Pekarek, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Eric A. Weaver, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

1-23-2024

Citation

Petro-Turnquist, E.; Corder Kampfe, B.; Gadeken, A.; Pekarek, M.J.;Weaver, E.A. Multivalent Epigraph Hemagglutinin Vaccine Protects against Influenza B Virus in Mice. Pathogens 2024, 13, 97. https://doi.org/10.3390/ pathogens13020097

Comments

Open access.

Abstract

Influenza B virus is a respiratory pathogen that contributes to seasonal epidemics, accounts for approximately 25% of global influenza infections, and can induce severe disease in young children. While vaccination is the most commonly used method of preventing influenza infections, current vaccines only induce strain-specific responses and have suboptimal efficacy when mismatched from circulating strains. Further, two influenza B virus lineages have been described, B/Yamagatalike and B/Victoria-like, and the limited cross-reactivity between the two lineages provides an additional barrier in developing a universal influenza B virus vaccine. Here, we report a novel multivalent vaccine using computationally designed Epigraph hemagglutinin proteins targeting both the B/Yamagata-like and B/Victoria-like lineages. When compared to the quadrivalent commercial vaccine, the Epigraph vaccine demonstrated increased breadth of neutralizing antibody and T cell responses. After lethal heterologous influenza B virus challenge, mice immunized with the Epigraph vaccine were completely protected against both weight loss and mortality. The superior cross-reactive immunity conferred by the Epigraph vaccine immunogens supports their continued investigation as a universal influenza B virus vaccine.