Date of Award

12-10-2018

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Sang-Moo Kang

Second Advisor

Roberta Attanasio

Third Advisor

Bingzhong Xue

Abstract

Recurrence of distinct strains of seasonal influenza viruses requires the development of universal vaccines. Previous studies have demonstrated the cross-protection effects of influenza virus A-derived extracellular domain of ion channel matrix protein 2 (M2e) vaccines in an adult mouse model. However, M2e vaccine efficacy of wide-range protection against influenza remains largely unknown in aged mice. I hypothesized that co-immunization with M2e virus-like particle (M2e-VLP) vaccine and hemagglutinin-based VLP vaccine (HA-VLP) can provide superior protection against homologous virus and antigenically different strains of influenza viruses in aged (15-18 months old) BALB/c mice compared to the current HA-based vaccine. In this study, I examined a strategy of co-immunization of HA-VLP and M2e-VLP as a potential approach for effective vaccination for the immunosuppressed and elderly against a wide-range of influenza strains.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/13414375

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