Influenza A and B hemagglutinin ectodomains displayed on a nanoparticle (HA-NP)

Influenza A and B hemagglutinin ectodomains displayed on a nanoparticle represent a next-generation vaccine platform designed to provide broad-spectrum protection against influenza viruses. Hemagglutinin (HA) is the major surface protein of the influenza virus, mediating host cell entry by binding to sialic acid receptors [1]. By engineering the HA ectodomains—often focusing on the conserved stem region—onto self-assembling nanoparticles like ferritin or computationally designed scaffolds, researchers can present the immune system with a high-density, repetitive array of antigens [2]. This multivalent display mimics the physical structure of a virus and is significantly more effective at cross-linking B-cell receptors than monomeric proteins, thereby driving a more potent and diverse antibody response [3]. The primary goal of this target is to overcome the limitations of traditional seasonal vaccines, which must be updated annually due to antigenic drift, by eliciting antibodies that recognize conserved regions across multiple influenza strains and subtypes [4]. This approach is a central strategy in the development of a universal influenza vaccine. [1] Kanekiyo, M., et al. (2013). Nature. [2] Boyoglu-Barnum, S., et al. (2021). Nature. [3] NIH NIAID (2023). Universal Influenza Vaccine Research. [4] ClinicalTrials.gov (2024). NCT03814720.

Other names

Mosaic influenza nanoparticleMultivalent hemagglutinin nanoparticleHA-ferritin nanoparticleUniversal influenza vaccine candidateSelf-assembling HA nanoparticle

Induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) by presenting conserved epitopes of the hemagglutinin protein in a multivalent, repetitive display to B cells, enhancing immune recognition and memory.