npj Vaccines (Sep 2024)

CircRNA based multivalent neuraminidase vaccine induces broad protection against influenza viruses in mice

  • Xinyu Yue,
  • Cailing Zhong,
  • Rui Cao,
  • Sizhe Liu,
  • Zhiran Qin,
  • Lin Liu,
  • Yanmei Zhai,
  • Wanyu Luo,
  • Yikai Lian,
  • Mengjie Zhang,
  • Hongjie Lu,
  • Yuanyuan Wang,
  • Mengxin Xu,
  • Shuning Liu,
  • Kexin Lv,
  • Yuzhu Sun,
  • Xingchen Zhu,
  • Haoting Mai,
  • Jing Liao,
  • Jingyi Yang,
  • Lei Deng,
  • Yang Liu,
  • Caijun Sun,
  • Ke-Wei Zheng,
  • Yuelong Shu,
  • Yao-Qing Chen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-024-00963-4
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Abstract Developing broad-spectrum influenza vaccines is crucial for influenza control and potential pandemic preparedness. Here, we reported a novel vaccine design utilizing circular RNA (circRNA) as a delivery platform for multi-subtype neuraminidases (NA) (influenza A N1, N2, and influenza B Victoria lineage NA) immunogens. Individual NA circRNA lipid nanoparticles (LNP) elicited robust NA-specific antibody responses with neuraminidase inhibition activity (NAI), preventing the virus from egressing and infecting neighboring cells. Additionally, the administration of circRNA LNP induced cellular immunity in mice. To achieve a universal influenza vaccine, we combined all three subtypes of NA circRNA-LNPs to generate a trivalent circRNA vaccine. The trivalent vaccine elicited a balanced antibody response against all three NA subtypes and a Th1-biased immune response in mice. Moreover, it protected mice against the lethal challenge of matched and mismatched H1N1, H3N2, and influenza B viruses, encompassing circulating and ancestral influenza virus strains. This study highlights the potential of delivering multiple NA antigens through circRNA-LNPs as a promising strategy for effectively developing a universal influenza vaccine against diverse influenza viruses.