Multi-Epitope Peptide-Based and VacciniaBased Universal Influenza Vaccine Candidates Subjected to Clinical Trials
- Author:
Syazwani Romel
;
Sharifah Syed Hassan
;
Wei Boon Yap
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
conserved region;
, influenza virus;
multi-epitope peptide;
universal vaccine;
vaccination
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2020;27(2):10-20
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
In light of the limited protection conferred by current influenza vaccines, immunisation
using universal influenza vaccines has been proposed for protection against all or most influenza
sub-types. The fundamental principle of universal influenza vaccines is based on conserved
antigens found in most influenza strains, such as matrix 2, nucleocapsid, matrix 1 and stem
of hemagglutinin proteins. These antigens trigger cross-protective immunity against different
influenza strains. Many researchers have attempted to produce the conserved epitopes of these
antigens in the form of peptides in the hope of generating universal influenza vaccine candidates
that can broadly induce cross-reactive protection against influenza viral infections. However,
peptide vaccines are poorly immunogenic when applied individually owing to their small
molecular sizes. Hence, strategies, such as combining peptides as multi-epitope vaccines or
presenting peptides on vaccinia virus particles, are employed. This review discusses the clinical
and laboratory findings of several multi-epitope peptide vaccine candidates and vaccinia-based
peptide vaccines. The majority of these vaccine candidates have reached the clinical trial phase.
The findings in this study will indeed shed light on the applicability of universal influenza vaccines
to prevent seasonal and pandemic influenza outbreaks in the near future.
- Full text:3.2020my0850.pdf
