Vinyl Sulfone-functionalized Acetalated Dextran Microparticles as a Subunit Broadly Acting Influenza Vaccine

AAPS J. 2023 Jan 31;25(1):22. doi: 10.1208/s12248-023-00786-6.

Abstract

Influenza is a global health concern with millions of infections occurring yearly. Seasonal flu vaccines are one way to combat this virus; however, they are poorly protective against influenza as the virus is constantly mutating, particularly at the immunodominant hemagglutinin (HA) head group. A more broadly acting approach involves Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigen (COBRA). COBRA HA generates a broad immune response that is capable of protecting against mutating strains. Unfortunately, protein-based vaccines are often weekly immunogenic, so to help boost the immune response, we employed the use of acetalated dextran (Ace-DEX) microparticles (MPs) two ways: one to conjugate COBRA HA to the surface and a second to encapsulate cGAMP. To conjugate the COBRA HA to the surface of the Ace-DEX MPs, a poly(L-lactide)-polyethylene glycol co-polymer with a vinyl sulfone terminal group (PLLA-PEG-VS) was used. MPs encapsulating the STING agonist cGAMP were co-delivered with the antigen to form a broadly active influenza vaccine. This vaccine approach was evaluated in vivo with a prime-boost-boost vaccination schedule and illustrated generation of a humoral and cellular response that could protect against a lethal challenge of A/California/07/2009 in BALB/c mice.

Keywords: Ace-DEX; hemagglutinin; microparticles; surface conjugation; universal influenza vaccine; vaccine delivery; vinyl sulfone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dextrans
  • Humans
  • Influenza Vaccines*
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections* / prevention & control
  • Sulfones
  • Vaccines, Subunit

Substances

  • Dextrans
  • divinyl sulfone
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Sulfones
  • Vaccines, Subunit