Recombinant Salmonella vector delivery 3M2e-ferritin fusion nanoparticles provide cross protection against H9N2 and H7N9 avian influenza viruses.

Abstract

In recent years, the advancement of nanomedicine has revolutionized the field of vaccine development. Numerous nanoparticle-based nano vaccine candidates have been continuously developed. Herein, we describe a universal avian influenza virus (AIV) vaccine candidate based on ferritin self-assembling nanoparticles (NPs). The ferritin fused with 3M2e was delivered by an recombinant Salmonella vector, resulting in the formation of a novel recombinant strain, rSC0130(pYA3342-3M2eNPs). The 3M2e-ferritin fusion protein was efficiently expressed and self-assembled into NPs within the recombinant strain. The delivery of the recombinant strain rSC0130(pYA3342-3M2eNPs), which carries the 3M2e-ferritin fusion NPs, induced robust specific cellular and humoral immune responses against AIV in vivo, ultimately providing chickens with effective cross-protection against challenges from H9N2 and H7N9 avian influenza viruses. Our study underscores the potential of the Salmonella platform for delivering protein-based NPs and offers new insights into the development of universal vaccines for AIVs.