2023 journal article

A SARS-CoV-2 and influenza double hit vaccine based on RBD-conjugated inactivated influenza A virus

SCIENCE ADVANCES, 9(25).

By: Z. Wang n, Z. Li n, W. Shi n, D. Zhu n, S. Hu n, P. Dinh n, K. Cheng n

MeSH headings : Cricetinae; Animals; Humans; Mice; Influenza Vaccines; SARS-CoV-2; Influenza, Human; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Pandemics; COVID-19 / prevention & control; COVID-19 Vaccines; Influenza A virus
TL;DR: The Flu-RBD VLP vaccine is a promising candidate for combating COVID-19, influenza A, and coinfection and elicited a strong neutralization activity against both SARS-CoV-2 Delta pseudovirus and wild-type influenza A H1N1 inactivated virus in mice. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
3. Good Health and Well-being (Web of Science; OpenAlex)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 21, 2023

The circulating flu viruses merging with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic raises a more severe threat that promotes the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 associated with higher mortality rates. Here, we conjugated recombinant receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein onto inactivated influenza A virus (Flu) to develop a SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine with two-hit protection. This double-hit vaccine (Flu-RBD) not only induced protective immunities against SARS-CoV-2 but also remained functional as a flu vaccine. The Flu core improved the retention and distribution of Flu-RBD vaccine in the draining lymph nodes, with enhanced immunogenicity. In a hamster model of live SARS-CoV-2 infection, two doses of Flu-RBD efficiently protected animals against viral infection. Furthermore, Flu-RBD VLP elicited a strong neutralization activity against both SARS-CoV-2 Delta pseudovirus and wild-type influenza A H1N1 inactivated virus in mice. Overall, the Flu-RBD VLP vaccine is a promising candidate for combating COVID-19, influenza A, and coinfection.