Induction of immunogenic response in Balb/c mice by virus-like particles designed using the influenza neuraminidase, hemagglutinin and matrix proteins

Influenza is a vaccine-preventable disease, however, vaccine production confronts the greatest challenge due to the annual emergence of mutated or newer subtypes of the influenza virus. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are the next generation vaccines trending the research domain. Several research groups have highlighted the usefulness of neuraminidase (NA) as a vaccine antigen. VLPs incorporating consistent amounts of NA are designed and tested for immunogenic potential. In this study, influenza VLPs containing hemagglutinin (HA), NA (N1 and N2), and matrix (M) proteins were designed and tested for immunogenicity in Balb/c mice. Two different concentrations of VLPs (5 µg or 10 µg) with and without 15 µg Quil-A adjuvant were injected to mice. VLPs at the 10 µg concentration administered in combination with 15 µg Quil-A adjuvant were found to induce good anti-NA and anti-HA antibody responses. The induction of immune response in mice supports the hypothesis that VLP-based vaccines are promising candidates for future vaccines.