title: The universal influenza vaccine M2e-HBc administered intranasally in combination with the adjuvant CTA1-DD provides complete protection.
abstract: Mucosal vaccination requires effective and safe adjuvants. We have evaluated the non-toxic adjuvant CTA1-DD for mucosal vaccination against influenza. CTA1-DD contains the enzymatically active CTA1 subunit of cholera toxin (CT) genetically fused to a gene encoding a dimer of the D-fragment from Staphylococcus aureus protein A. CTA1-DD only binds to Ig-receptor carrying cells of the immune system. Nasal administration of the universal influenza vaccine M2e-HBc in combination with CTA1-DD completely protected mice from a potentially lethal infection and significantly reduced morbidity. Sera of mice immunized with M2e-HBc + CTA1-DD revealed IgG subclass profiles consistent with an enhanced Th1-type immunity. When the vaccine was administered intraperitoneally, the adjuvant improved the M2e antibody titer in circulation, but did not significantly reduce the morbidity.
authors.affiliation: DMBR, Ghent University-VIB, FSVM-Building, Technologiepark 927, B-9052 Ghent (Zwijnaarde), Belgium.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Filette
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramne
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Birkett
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lycke
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Löwenadler
authors.forename: Willy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Min Jou
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Saelens
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fiers
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; C440610:CTA1-DD protein, recombinant; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; C509609:M2e-HBc influenza vaccine; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D002772:Cholera Toxin