Influenza A virus Hemagglutinin and Matrix protein 1 (HA and M1)

Influenza A virus Hemagglutinin (HA) and Matrix protein 1 (M1) are two essential viral proteins that serve as primary antigens for the host immune system and are central to influenza vaccine design. Hemagglutinin is a surface glycoprotein responsible for binding to host cell sialic acid receptors and mediating membrane fusion, making it the principal target for neutralizing antibodies that prevent viral entry (15). Matrix protein 1 is a highly conserved internal protein that provides structural integrity to the viral envelope and coordinates viral assembly and budding (17, 19). While HA is the focus of seasonal vaccines due to its role in eliciting protective antibodies, its high rate of antigenic drift necessitates frequent vaccine updates (1, 7). In contrast, the conservation of M1 makes it a key target for inducing cross-reactive T-cell responses, which can provide broader protection against multiple influenza subtypes (18). Combined targeting of HA and M1 in platforms like virus-like particles (VLPs) or viral vectors aims to leverage both humoral and cellular immunity for more effective and universal protection against influenza infections (4, 14).

Other names

Hemagglutinin and Matrix protein 1HA/M1Influenza A virus HA and M1HA and M1 antigensInfluenza antigens HA and M1

Induction of neutralizing antibodies against the HA globular head or conserved stem to prevent viral entry, and stimulation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses against the conserved M1 protein to clear infected cells (2, 18).