Virus Research (Jul 2024)

A live attenuated influenza B virus vaccine expressing RBD elicits protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in mice

  • Zhenfei Wang,
  • Weiyang Sun,
  • Dongxu Li,
  • Yue Sun,
  • Menghan Zhu,
  • Wenqi Wang,
  • Yiming Zhang,
  • Entao Li,
  • Feihu Yan,
  • Tiecheng Wang,
  • Na Feng,
  • Songtao Yang,
  • Xianzhu Xia,
  • Yuwei Gao

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 345
p. 199378

Abstract

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a significant threat to human health globally. It is crucial to develop a vaccine to reduce the effect of the virus on public health, economy, and society and regulate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Influenza B virus (IBV) can be used as a vector that does not rely on the current circulating influenza A strains. In this study, we constructed an IBV-based vector vaccine by inserting a receptor-binding domain (RBD) into a non-structural protein 1 (NS1)-truncated gene (rIBV-NS110-RBD). Subsequently, we assessed its safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in mice, and observed that it was safe in a mouse model. Intranasal administration of a recombinant rIBV-NS110-RBD vaccine induced high levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA and IgG antibodies and T cell-mediated immunity in mice. Administering two doses of the intranasal rIBV-NS110-RBD vaccine significantly reduced the viral load and lung damage in mice. This novel IBV-based vaccine offers a novel approach for controlling the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

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