# Novel Influenza nano vaccines for broad cross protection

> **NIH NIH R01** · GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $630,929

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Influenza is a major public health risk. The current seasonal influenza vaccine is effective against closely
matched viruses in healthy adults, but it cannot prevent the outbreaks of epidemics or pandemics because
influenza viruses mutate frequently and zoonotic strains can jump the species barrier into humans. Other
disadvantages of the seasonal influenza vaccine include the need to produce new vaccines every season, the
uncertainty in selecting vaccine strains, and the compromised efficacy for mismatched viruses. A novel
generation of influenza vaccines, termed universal influenza vaccines, will overcome these challenges. In the
previous grant period, we have produced layered protein nanoparticles (nanoclusters) from conserved HA stalk
antigens and the M2 protein ectodomain of influenza A. Nanocluster immunizations induced cross protection
against viruses from both phylogenic groups of influenza A, including pandemic-potential avian strains.
Both influenza A and influenza B cause influenza epidemics in humans. In this proposal, we propose to
construct a multivalent layered nanocluster formulation composed of newly designed antigenic proteins from
both influenza A and influenza B as a universal influenza vaccine. The new vaccine will induce broad cross-
protection against both influenza types. We have three specific aims:
Aim 1. To design and construct conserved antigens from influenza A and B, fabricate nanoclusters
from these and previously designed antigenic proteins, and characterize these new nanoclusters. We
will optimize the orchestration, composition, and stability of these nanoclusters for the physiologically-activated
release of free antigenic proteins, antigen-processing and presentation after the uptake by dendritic cells,
distribution of these nanoclusters to draining lymph nodes, and induction of strong antigen-specific immune
responses in mice.
Aim 2. To test whether these layered nanoclusters or an optimal combination will induce broadly
reactive immune responses and whether the immunity will grant cross-protection against viruses
spanning both influenza A and influenza B in mice.
Aim 3. To test whether the leading multivalent nanocluster combinations will induce robust immune
responses which confer broad cross-protection in ferrets.
Overall, our research will develop a broadly cross-protective universal influenza vaccine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10212907
- **Project number:** 5R01AI101047-08
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Baozhong Wang
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $630,929
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-05-15 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10212907

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10212907, Novel Influenza nano vaccines for broad cross protection (5R01AI101047-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10212907. Licensed CC0.

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