Influenza A hemagglutinin virus-like particles confer protection against influenza B virus infection

Influenza A hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase, and/or M2e-containing virus-like particles (VLPs) induce immune responses that contribute to protection against multiple influenza A virus subtypes. In this study, we investigated the protective efficacy of influenza A/H1H3 VLPs against influenza B viru...

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Main Authors: Jie Mao, Ki Back Chu, Gi-Deok Eom, Keon-Woong Yoon, Su In Heo, Hae-Ji Kang, Sung Soo Kim, Fu-Shi Quan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Emerging Microbes and Infections
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22221751.2025.2494702
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author Jie Mao
Ki Back Chu
Gi-Deok Eom
Keon-Woong Yoon
Su In Heo
Hae-Ji Kang
Sung Soo Kim
Fu-Shi Quan
author_facet Jie Mao
Ki Back Chu
Gi-Deok Eom
Keon-Woong Yoon
Su In Heo
Hae-Ji Kang
Sung Soo Kim
Fu-Shi Quan
author_sort Jie Mao
collection DOAJ
description Influenza A hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase, and/or M2e-containing virus-like particles (VLPs) induce immune responses that contribute to protection against multiple influenza A virus subtypes. In this study, we investigated the protective efficacy of influenza A/H1H3 VLPs against influenza B virus infections (B/Colorado/06/2017 and B/Malaysia/2506/2004, Victoria lineage) in mice. A/H1H3 VLP immunization elicited protection against lethal challenge infections with both B/Colorado and B/Malaysia, significantly reducing lung viral loads and ensuring 100% survival of immunized mice. Sera from A/H1H3VLP-immunized mice recognized inactivated B/Colorado and B/Malaysia virus antigens and enhanced Fc receptor-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) responses. Notably, immune sera reacted with HA, HA1, and HA2 antigens from both B/Colorado and B/Malaysia viruses. A/H1H3VLP immunization also induced lung IgG and IgA antibody responses against HA, HA1, and HA2 of both B viruses, as well as antibody-secreting cell responses (ASC), germinal center B (GC B) responses, and CD4+ T cell responses. Additionally, A/H1H3VLP immunization significantly suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines responses (IFN-γ, IL-6). These results suggest that A/H1H3 VLP hold promise as a candidate for a universal influenza vaccine capable of providing cross-protection against influenza B virus infection.
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spelling doaj-art-5a1b7d8c56b74deebdd332ecbce1bd232025-08-20T02:29:46ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEmerging Microbes and Infections2222-17512025-12-0114110.1080/22221751.2025.2494702Influenza A hemagglutinin virus-like particles confer protection against influenza B virus infectionJie Mao0Ki Back Chu1Gi-Deok Eom2Keon-Woong Yoon3Su In Heo4Hae-Ji Kang5Sung Soo Kim6Fu-Shi Quan7Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Parasitology, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Microbiology, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, Republic of KoreaMedical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species and Biomedical Science Institute, Core Research Institute (CRI), Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaMedical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species and Biomedical Science Institute, Core Research Institute (CRI), Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaInfluenza A hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase, and/or M2e-containing virus-like particles (VLPs) induce immune responses that contribute to protection against multiple influenza A virus subtypes. In this study, we investigated the protective efficacy of influenza A/H1H3 VLPs against influenza B virus infections (B/Colorado/06/2017 and B/Malaysia/2506/2004, Victoria lineage) in mice. A/H1H3 VLP immunization elicited protection against lethal challenge infections with both B/Colorado and B/Malaysia, significantly reducing lung viral loads and ensuring 100% survival of immunized mice. Sera from A/H1H3VLP-immunized mice recognized inactivated B/Colorado and B/Malaysia virus antigens and enhanced Fc receptor-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) responses. Notably, immune sera reacted with HA, HA1, and HA2 antigens from both B/Colorado and B/Malaysia viruses. A/H1H3VLP immunization also induced lung IgG and IgA antibody responses against HA, HA1, and HA2 of both B viruses, as well as antibody-secreting cell responses (ASC), germinal center B (GC B) responses, and CD4+ T cell responses. Additionally, A/H1H3VLP immunization significantly suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines responses (IFN-γ, IL-6). These results suggest that A/H1H3 VLP hold promise as a candidate for a universal influenza vaccine capable of providing cross-protection against influenza B virus infection.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22221751.2025.2494702Virus-like particlescross-protectionuniversal influenza vaccineantibody responsesviral burden regulation
spellingShingle Jie Mao
Ki Back Chu
Gi-Deok Eom
Keon-Woong Yoon
Su In Heo
Hae-Ji Kang
Sung Soo Kim
Fu-Shi Quan
Influenza A hemagglutinin virus-like particles confer protection against influenza B virus infection
Emerging Microbes and Infections
Virus-like particles
cross-protection
universal influenza vaccine
antibody responses
viral burden regulation
title Influenza A hemagglutinin virus-like particles confer protection against influenza B virus infection
title_full Influenza A hemagglutinin virus-like particles confer protection against influenza B virus infection
title_fullStr Influenza A hemagglutinin virus-like particles confer protection against influenza B virus infection
title_full_unstemmed Influenza A hemagglutinin virus-like particles confer protection against influenza B virus infection
title_short Influenza A hemagglutinin virus-like particles confer protection against influenza B virus infection
title_sort influenza a hemagglutinin virus like particles confer protection against influenza b virus infection
topic Virus-like particles
cross-protection
universal influenza vaccine
antibody responses
viral burden regulation
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22221751.2025.2494702
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