Conserved Synthetic Peptides from the Hemagglutinin of Influenza Viruses Induce Broad Humoral and T-Cell Responses in a Pig Model
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Author
Vergara-Alert, Julia
Argilaguet, Jordi M.
Busquets, Nuria
Ballester, Maria
Martın-Valls, Gerard E.
Rivas, Raquel
Lopez-Soria, Sergio
Solanes, David
Majo, Natalia
Segales, Joaquim
Veljkovic, Veljko
Rodrıguez, Fernando
Publication date
2012-07-16ISSN
1932-6203
Abstract
Outbreaks involving either H5N1 or H1N1 influenza viruses (IV) have recently become an increasing threat to cause potential
pandemics. Pigs have an important role in this aspect. As reflected in the 2009 human H1N1 pandemia, they may act as a
vehicle for mixing and generating new assortments of viruses potentially pathogenic to animals and humans. Lack of
universal vaccines against the highly variable influenza virus forces scientists to continuously design vaccines a ` la carte,
which is an expensive and risky practice overall when dealing with virulent strains. Therefore, we focused our efforts on
developing a broadly protective influenza vaccine based on the Informational Spectrum Method (ISM). This theoretical
prediction allows the selection of highly conserved peptide sequences from within the hemagglutinin subunit 1 protein
(HA1) from either H5 or H1 viruses which are located in the flanking region of the HA binding site and with the potential to
elicit broader immune responses than conventional vaccines. Confirming the theoretical predictions, immunization of
conventional farm pigs with the synthetic peptides induced humoral responses in every single pig. The fact that the
induced antibodies were able to recognize in vitro heterologous influenza viruses such as the pandemic H1N1 virus
(pH1N1), two swine influenza field isolates (SwH1N1 and SwH3N2) and a H5N1 highly pathogenic avian virus, confirm the
broad recognition of the antibodies induced. Unexpectedly, all pigs also showed T-cell responses that not only recognized
the specific peptides, but also the pH1N1 virus. Finally, a partial effect on the kinetics of virus clearance was observed after
the intranasal infection with the pH1N1 virus, setting forth the groundwork for the design of peptide-based vaccines against
influenza viruses. Further insights into the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the protection afforded will be
necessary to optimize future vaccine formulations.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
619 - Veterinary science
Pages
10
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Is part of
PLoS ONE
Citation
Vergara‐Alert, Júlia, Jordi Argilaguet, Núria Busquets, María Ballester, Gerard Martín‐Valls, Raquel Rivas, Sergio López-Soria, et al. 2012. “Conserved Synthetic Peptides From the Hemagglutinin of Influenza Viruses Induce Broad Humoral and T-Cell Responses in a Pig Model.” PloS One 7 (7): e40524. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0040524.
Grant agreement number
MEC/ /AGL2007-60434/ES/PAPEL DE LA INMUNIDAD INNATA DEL HOSPEDADOR EN LA PROTECCION Y PATOGENIA DE LA INFECCION POR EL VIRUS DE INFLUENZA AVIAR/GAN
MICINN/Programa Nacional de Proyectos de Investigación Fundamental/AGL2010-22229-C03-01/ES/CARACTERIZACION DE MECANISMOS IMPLICADOS EN PROTECCION FRENTE AL VIRUS DE LA PESTE PORCINA AFRICANA: DESARROLLO DE VACUNA FRENTE AL VPPA/
INIA/Programa Nacional de Proyectos de Investigación Fundamental/RTA2010-00084-C02-02/ES/ /
MICINN/Programa Nacional de Formación de Recursos Humanos/BES-2008-00260/ES/ /
Program
Sanitat Animal
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