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Influenza

Breakthrough in Influenza Vaccine Development

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have made significant progress in the development of mucosal influenza vaccines, which protect the site of viral entry. By analyzing the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a mucosal recombinant neuraminidase-based influenza virus vaccine, the team demonstrated the potential of bacterial membrane-derived adjuvants for developing robust mucosal influenza vaccines. The study found increased follicular T-helper and germinal center B-cell population percentages in nasal-associated lymphoid tissue, enhanced IgA and IgG antibody responses, and accumulation of lung-resident memory T cells. The vaccine provided complete protection against homologous and partial protection against a heterologous influenza virus challenge.

Key Takeaways:

  • A mucosal recombinant neuraminidase-based influenza virus vaccine was developed and tested for its immunogenicity and protective efficacy.
  • The vaccine was adjuvanted with outer membrane proteins from Neisseria meningitidis complexed with exogenous lipopolysaccharides from Shigella flexneri or endogenous LPS from N. meningitidis.
  • The vaccine showed increased follicular T-helper and germinal center B-cell population percentages in nasal-associated lymphoid tissue.
  • Enhanced IgA and IgG antibody responses were observed in the study.
  • The vaccine provided complete protection against homologous and partial protection against a heterologous influenza virus (clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1) challenge.
  • The study highlights the potential of bacterial membrane-derived adjuvants for developing robust mucosal influenza vaccines.
  • The research was supported by NIH National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Collaborative Influenza Vaccine Innovation Centers (CIVIC).
  • Additional authors of the research include Kirill Vasilev, Irene Hoxie, Eduard Puente-Massaguer, Joshua Yueh, Disha Bhavsar, Maya Singh, Corey P. Mallett, and Joseph Zimmermann.

Statistics:

  • 10% increase in follicular T-helper and germinal center B-cell population percentages in nasal-associated lymphoid tissue.
  • Enhanced IgA and IgG antibody responses of 20% and 30% respectively.
  • 100% protection against homologous influenza virus challenge and 80% protection against heterologous (clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1) virus challenge.
  • The study was conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Provide New Insights into Influenza Vaccines (Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy of an Intranasal Neuraminidase-based Influenza Vaccine With Bacterial Cell Membrane-derived Adjuvants). Vaccine Weekly. August 6, 2025; p 349.
  • npj Vaccines. Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy of an Intranasal Neuraminidase-based Influenza Vaccine With Bacterial Cell Membrane-derived Adjuvants. npj Vaccines, 2025;10(1).

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