Novel Influenza D Virus Vaccine Strategy

University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed a novel single-cycle influenza D virus (IDV) vaccine strategy. This approach uses a mutant virus that is unable to assemble or enter cells and can lead to an immune response without causing any disease. This single-cycle vaccine could provide a safe and effective IDV in cattle, swine, humans and other species, potentially reducing the risk of a global public health crisis and future pandemics. 

A novel vaccine has been developed to provide protection against the influenza D virus. This vaccine, M-null IDV, is a modified virus unable to replicate and may have applications in both animal and human health. 

Description

IDV is predominantly found in cattle causing respiratory symptoms. IDV has also previously been detected in swine, goats, sheep, camels, horses, buffalo, deer, and humans. To date, no direct evidence of marked illness in humans has been reported; however, IDV has the potential to adapt or evolve into a more virulent form posing a potential risk to human and animal health. This threat to public health requires vaccines and other treatment strategies to be in place should a new strain or spillover event occur. A mutant virus (M-null IDV) unable to express M1 and DM2 matrix proteins vital for virus assembly and cell entry has been developed. The M-null IDV construct only undergoes single-cycle replication and could provide a novel vaccination strategy against IDV in humans and animals.

Applications

• Animal vaccination against influenza D virus
• Human vaccination against influenza D virus
• Novel vaccination strategy for other infectious diseases

Advantages

To date, no vaccine against IDV exists for use in humans or animals. There is increasing evidence that IDV is rapidly evolving and may pose a growing threat to public health and a pressing need to develop a safe and effective vaccine.

M-null IDV is a mutant IDV virus which lacks the ability to express the matrix proteins M1 and DM2, accomplished by replacing their AUG start codons with AAC in the coding sequence. The absence of matrix proteins ensures M-null is a single-cycle vaccine and safely induces an immune response. To ensure M-null IDV can be replicated for production, the RNA genome of M-null IDV maintains the 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions (UTRs) and M-null IDV will assemble when in the presence of external matrix proteins.

Invention Readiness

M-null IDV vaccine was developed and produced using plasmid constructs. These modified virions have similar morphology to wild type IDV, as confirmed by electron microscopy. M-null IDV do not express M1 and DM2 proteins in the absence of external matrix proteins, confirming M-null IDV is a single-cycle vaccine. Work is now underway to identify cell lines and strategies for large-scale production. Additionally, safety and efficacy studies in animals are required to establish vaccine suitability to induce immunity to IDV in multiple species.

IP Status

Patent Pending