University of Michigan researchers develop universal flu vaccine candidate

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a preclinical strategy for a universal influenza vaccine using genetically engineered baker’s yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Unlike traditional seasonal vaccines that target the highly mutable hemagglutinin (HA) protein, this new approach focuses on the M2 protein, which is essential for viral replication and has remained relatively stable across various influenza A strains for over a century.

The team created virus-like particles (VLPs) that densely display the full-length M2 protein. These particles mimic the size and shape of a virus but contain no genetic material, making them incapable of causing infection. By packing M2 onto these VLPs, researchers aim to overcome the protein's low natural visibility to the immune system.

In mouse models, the experimental vaccine generated antibodies capable of recognizing M2 from five different influenza strains. The study reported 100% protection in animals challenged with three distinct strains. These findings were presented at the American Chemical Society Fall 2024 meeting.