title: Influenza A virus lacking M2 protein as a live attenuated vaccine.
abstract: Mutant influenza virus that lacks the transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail domains of M2 (M2 knockout [M2KO]) is attenuated in both cell culture and mice. Here, we examined the potency of M2KO influenza virus as a live attenuated influenza vaccine. M2KO virus grew as efficiently as the wild-type virus in cells stably expressing the wild-type M2, indicating the feasibility of efficient vaccine production. Mice intranasally vaccinated with M2KO virus developed protective immune responses and survived a lethal challenge with the wild-type virus, suggesting that the M2KO virus has potential as a live attenuated vaccine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Tokiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawaoka