Bivalent vaccines effectively protect mice against influenza A and respiratory syncytial viruses

Abstract

Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) infections together contribute significantly to the burden of acute lower respiratory tract infections. Despite the disease burden, no approved RSV vaccine is available. While approved vaccines are available for influenza, seasonal vaccination is required to maintain protection. In addition to both being respiratory viruses, they follow a common seasonality, which warrants the necessity for a concerted vaccination approach. Here, we designed bivalent vaccines by utilizing highly conserved sequences, targeting both influenza A and RSV, as either a chimeric antigen or individual antigens separated by a ribosome skipping sequence. These vaccines were found to be effective in protecting the animals from challenge by either virus, with mechanisms of protection being substantially interrogated in this communication.

Filling two needs with one deed: a combinatory mucosal vaccine against influenza A virus and respiratory syncytial virus

“…For instance, a single intramuscular injection of a DNA vaccine expressing the IAV-HA and RSV-F proteins induced strong systemic cellular and humoral responses in BALB/c mice, which conferred protection against both pathogens (40). Recent research has also explored the delivery of effective combined IAV/RSV vaccines through the intranasal route (55,56). The intranasal administration of an adenoviral vector encoding the IAV-HA stem protein in combination with the prefusion stabilized form of RSV-F demonstrated in a prime/boost setting the induction of circulating IgG antibodies and protection against both viral infections (55).…”