Induction of influenza-specific mucosal immunity by an attenuated recombinant Sendai virus

Background

Many pathogens initiate infection at the mucosal surfaces; therefore, induction of mucosal immune responses is a first level of defense against infection and is the most powerful means of protection. Although intramuscular injection is widely used for vaccination and is effective at inducing circulating antibodies, it is less effective at inducing mucosal antibodies.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here we report a novel recombinant, attenuated Sendai virus vector (GP42-H1) in which the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of influenza A virus was introduced into the Sendai virus genome as an additional gene. Infection of CV-1 cells by GP42-H1 resulted in cell surface expression of the HA protein. Intranasal immunization of mice with 1,000 plaque forming units (pfu) of GP42-H1 induced HA-specific IgG and IgA antibodies in the blood, brochoalveolar lavage fluid, fecal pellet extracts and saliva. The HA-specific antibody titer induced by GP42-H1 closely resembles the titer induced by sublethal infection by live influenza virus; however, in contrast to infection by influenza virus, immunization with GP42-H1 did not result in disease symptoms or the loss of body weight. In mice that were immunized with GP42-H1 and then challenged with 5LD₅₀ (1250 pfu) of influenza virus, no significant weight loss was observed and other visual signs of morbidity were not detected.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that the GP42-H1 Sendai virus recombinant is able to confer full protection from lethal infection by influenza virus, supporting the conclusion that it is a safe and effective mucosal vaccine vector.