A broad protection provided by matrix protein 2 (M2) of avian influenza virus

Vaccine. 2015 Jul 17;33(31):3758-65. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.05.045. Epub 2015 May 31.

Abstract

To prevent a future influenza A virus subtype pandemic outbreak, developing a broad-spectrum vaccine would be highly beneficial. The ion channel protein M2 is highly conserved in a diverse number of influenza A virus subtypes. This distinguishing characteristic makes M2 an attractive vaccine target for a broadly protective vaccine. We expressed a full-length M2 protein which was C-terminally fused to a small peptide in Escherichia coli. Because this recombinant M2 (rM2) protein forms multimeric complexes with high molecular weight, it serves as a potential immunogen. Antibodies induced by the rM2 protein prevented the replication of different subtypes of influenza A virus both in vitro and in vivo. Animal study demonstrated that rM2 immunization protected mice against influenza A virus infection via limiting replication of virus progeny in vivo and attenuating lung damage. As such, the M2 protein is a highly potential candidate for next generation vaccine development with the capability of protecting against various influenza A virus subtypes.

Keywords: Antibody; Influenza A virus; M2 protein; Protection; Vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Cross Protection*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung / virology
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / pathology
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • M2 protein, Influenza A virus
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Viral Matrix Proteins