Enhancing vaccine mediated protection against Influenza B virus

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Presentation Time: 02:15 PM - 03:30 PM
Poster Board Number: B180
Abstract ID: 4472

Presenting Author:
Payton Kahl , Graduate Research Assistant at Univ. of Iowa

Abstract:

Influenza A and B virus (IAV, IBV) infections result in substantial morbidity and mortality each year. While IBV makes up only a quarter of annual IV cases, it contributes to ~60% of influenza related pediatric mortality. While effective, current IV-vaccines provide sub-par protection when mismatched from circulating strains. In order to combat heterologous IV exposure, T cell-based protection in the lung mucosa and airway are thought to be necessary. Thus, we developed a polyanhydride nanoparticle-based IAV vaccine (IAV-nanovax) that is able to induce robust local and systemic B and T cell responses that provide broad based protection against homologous and heterosubtypic IAV infections. Since long lasting adaptive immune responses against IBV are critical as well, we have created 2 IBV-nanovax formulations that contain proteins from either the B/Victoria or B/Yamagata lineages of IBV. Moreover, we have developed new IBV animal models and tools to identify IBV-T cells allowing for assessment of the vaccine effectiveness and kinetics of the immune response. Our results show that both IBV-nanovaccines increase pulmonary and systemic B and T cell immunity and confer protection against homologous IBV infections. Currently we are investigating if these IBV-nanovax formulations can provide broad protection against other IV infections, including heterologous IBV. All together our results suggest that these IBV-nanovax may be able to provide robust immunity and protection.