Stabilized Group 2 Influenza Hemagglutinin Stem Region Trimers and Uses Thereof

Researchers at the Vaccine Research Center of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have designed influenza vaccine candidates based on group 2 influenza hemagglutinin (HA) proteins. These group 2 HA proteins were engineered to remove the highly variable head region and stabilize the remaining stem region. The researchers then fused the engineered group 2 HA stabilized stem with a ferritin subunit. The resulting fusion protein can self-assemble into nanoparticles which display group 2 HA stem domain trimers on their surface.

These immunogens elicit cross-reactive antibodies to group 2 influenza viruses and could be used in combination with group 1 HA stem-ferritin immunogens as a universal influenza vaccine. Interestingly, a recent study by Andrews et al., Sci. Immunol. 2, eaan2676 (2017), suggests that cross-reactive group 1/group 2 HA stem antibodies may be more likely to be elicited in humans by a group 2 HA immunogen.

This technology is available for licensing for commercial development in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 209 and 37 CFR Part 404, as well as for further development and evaluation under a research collaboration.