TY - JOUR T1 - Antiserum against the conserved nine amino acid N-terminal peptide of influenza A virus matrix protein 2 is not immunoprotective. JF - J Gen Virol Y1 - 2011 A1 - De Filette, Marina A1 - Ysenbaert, Tine A1 - Roose, Kenny A1 - Schotsaert, Michael A1 - S. Roels A1 - Goossens, Els A1 - Schepens, Bert A1 - Fiers, Walter A1 - Saelens, Xavier KW - Amino Acid Sequence KW - Animals KW - Antibodies, Viral KW - Cell Line KW - Dogs KW - Gene Expression Regulation, Viral KW - Hemocyanin KW - Immune Sera KW - Influenza A virus KW - Influenza Vaccines KW - mice KW - Mice, Inbred BALB C KW - Orthomyxoviridae Infections KW - Rabbits KW - Viral Matrix Proteins AB -

The recent emergence and rapid spread of the pandemic H1N1 swine influenza virus reminded us once again of the need for a universal influenza vaccine that can elicit heterosubtypic protection. Here, we show the superior immunogenicity and immunoprotective capacity of the full-length matrix protein 2 ectodomain (M2e) peptide coupled to keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) compared with the N-terminal 9 aa residues of M2e (SP1). Immunization with M2e-KLH protected mice against a lethal challenge with influenza A virus and significantly reduced weight loss and lung virus titres. In addition, passive transfer of serum raised in rabbits against M2e-KLH protected mice against a lethal influenza virus challenge, whereas serum from rabbits immunized with SP1-KLH did not. Nevertheless, immunofluorescence staining revealed that rabbit serum raised against SP1-KLH bound specifically to infected Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. We conclude that the peptide SP1 contains an immunogenic epitope that is not sufficient for immunoprotection.

VL - 92 CP - Pt 2 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20965983?dopt=Abstract M3 - 10.1099/vir.0.027086-0 ER -