Development of universal influenza vaccines based on influenza virus M and NP genes

Abstract

Purpose: Vaccination is the safest and most effective measure against influenza virus infections. However, traditional influenza vaccines cannot respond effectively to an unforeseen epidemic or pandemic caused by a virus with antigenic drifts or antigenic shifts. Therefore, developing a universal influenza vaccine (UIV) that induces broad-spectrum and long-term immunity has become a major trend in influenza vaccine research and development. Methods: This article reviews the development of UIVs based on these conserved influenza virus proteins. Results and Conclusion: The matrix protein (M1, M2) and nucleoprotein (NP) of influenza viruses have highly conserved sequences, and they become the major target antigens of current UIV studies. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.