Despite the development of several types of influenza vaccines (live-attenuated, inactivated, subunit), the WorldHealth Organization estimates that seasonal influenza is still responsible for 3-5 million cases of severe diseaseand 290,000-650,000 deaths each year. Although vaccination programs have helped to reduce the morbidityand mortality associated with seasonal influenza, current vaccine approaches are limited by poor vaccine-mediated immunity and low vaccination coverage. To overcome suboptimal immune responses to influenzavaccination, we have developed an advanced hydrogen peroxide-based, site-directed oxidation technology thatrenders viruses fully inactivated while preserving protective structures/epitopes on the virus surface includingfully maintained HA (hemagglutinin) activity. Our preliminary data shows that immunization of mice with our 1st-generation peroxide-inactivated vaccine by either the subcutaneous, transcutaneous, or intranasal routes ofadministration leads to full protection against lethal influenza challenge. In these proposed studies, we describeour 2nd-generation HydroVax platform technology and the approaches that we will take to further optimize vaccinepotency following intranasal vaccination. By improving the structural integrity of the vaccine antigen, coupledwith the ease and acceptability of an intranasal route of administration, we hope to improve both vaccine potencyand vaccination coverage that together, will greatly reduce the impact of seasonal influenza among vulnerablepopulations including infants and the elderly.
Public Health Relevance Statement: In this proposal, we provide exciting preliminary data describing an advanced HydroVax vaccine platform that
will be used to develop a novel peroxide-inactivated influenza virus vaccine optimized for effective intranasal
vaccination.
Project Terms: <21+ years old><0-11 years old>
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