A Promising H7N9 Vaccine from the Fusion Protein of Hemagglutinin Globular Head and Bacterial Flagellin

Recombinant subunit vaccines provide protection against viral infections. However, their efficacy is often less potent than vaccines from whole viruses. Studies have shown that bacterial flagellin has strong activity and induces protective immune responses.

Researchers, led by Li Song of the Yangzhou University in China, generated an H7N9 influenza recombinant subunit vaccine with the fusion of the hemagglutinin of the influenza virus (HA1-2) and the potent Salmonella typhimurium flagellin (fliC). The resulting fusion protein, HA1-2-fliC, was then efficiently expressed in an Escherichia coli. In a mouse model vaccination, HA1-2-fliC was found to be capable of triggering the production of neutralizing antibodies, and maintained at high levels for at least 3 months in the vaccinated animals.

The study concludes that immunization with HA1-2-fliC induces potent HA1-2-specific responses, offering significant promise for the development of a successful recombinant subunit vaccine for H7N9.

For more on the study, read the article on BMC Biotechnology.