登革2型病毒ZS01/01株病毒样颗粒免疫原性研究

目的 研究登革2型病毒（Dengue virus type 2,DENV-2）病毒样颗粒（virus-Like particles,VLPs）的免疫原性.方法 利用已构建的DENV-2 ZS01/01株病毒样颗粒的表达质粒转染293T细胞,对分泌型VLPs进行大量培养并通过蔗糖密度梯度离心法对其进行纯化.纯化的VLPs经Western Blot及透射电镜观察等方法鉴定后免疫BALB/c小鼠.利用ELISA及中和试验等方法对体液免疫反应进行检测,ELISPOT法测定细胞免疫水平.结果 登革2型病毒样颗粒表达质粒转染哺乳动物细胞所得上清经蔗糖密度梯度离心后,电镜下可观察到类似于天然登革病毒的大小在45～55nm之间的病毒样颗粒.体液及细胞免疫检测结果显示登革2型VLPs可以刺激小鼠产生较高水平的登革E蛋白特异性抗体及一定水平的中和抗体,免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞经体外刺激后IFN-γ水平显著升高.结论 登革2型病毒病毒样颗粒免疫BALB/c小鼠后可引起一定水平的细胞免疫及体液免疫反应,该研究结果为四价登革病毒样颗粒疫苗的研制奠定了基础.     

呼吸道合胞病毒样颗粒疫苗制备及免疫效果研究

目的利用昆虫表达系统表达以流感病毒基质蛋白M1为骨架制备的嵌合呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)融合蛋白F和表面糖蛋白G蛋白的呼吸道合胞病毒样颗粒(RSV-F/G VLPs)疫苗候选株,并滴鼻免疫Balb/c小鼠,评价其免疫原性与免疫保护性。方法通过基因重组技术制备以流感基质蛋白M1为骨架,并嵌合RSV F/G蛋白的RSV-F/G VLPs,经超滤浓缩、蔗糖密度梯度离心纯化VLP,滴鼻免疫Balb/c小鼠,检测血清抗体IgG、IgG1、IgG2a,黏膜sIgA效价以及细胞因子IL-4、INF-γ等,评价候选疫苗的免疫原性;二免后2周RSV A2株攻毒,通过检测小鼠体质量变化,肺病毒载量及肺病理切片来评价候选疫苗的免疫保护性。结果成功制备了RSV-F VLPs、RSV-G VLPs疫苗抗原,动物实验结果证实,候选疫苗株RSV-F/G VLPs可刺激机体产生特异性Th1型细胞免疫及黏膜免疫;攻毒实验结果表明候选疫苗株RSV-F/G VLPs针对RSV A2株的攻击可以产生一定的保护效果。结论成功制备了RSV-F VLPs、RSV-G VLPs候选疫苗抗原,并通过动物实验证明RSV-F/G VLPs具有良好的免疫原性和免疫保护性,为发展新型RSV疫苗提供实验依据。     

重组EV71和CVA16型手足口病双价VLP疫苗构建及免疫保护效果评价

目的运用Bac-to-Bac杆状病毒表达系统表达EV71和CVA16的病毒样颗粒,并对纯化的重组EV71、CVA16双价病毒样颗粒疫苗进行免疫效果评价。方法构建重组杆状病毒Bacmid-P1-3CD,转染Sf9昆虫细胞,纯化EV71、CVA16的病毒样颗粒并检测其形态和生物特性;通过EV71、CVA16的病毒样颗粒免疫ICR雌鼠后,以EV71、CVA16强毒株腹腔攻击5日龄乳鼠,对重组EV71、CVA16型双价VLP免疫保护性进行评价。结果利用Bac-to-Bac杆状病毒表达系统成功构建并表达EV71和CVA16病毒样颗粒,颗粒大小约为23~30 nm,存在Mr约39 000 VP1特异性蛋白表达。重组EV71、CVA16双价VLP疫苗免疫接种能够诱导小鼠机体产生高效价的特异性抗体(EV71中和抗体效价为1∶960,CVA16中和抗体效价为1∶624)并发挥优于单价VLP疫苗的有效免疫保护效果。结论重组EV71、CVA16型双价VLP疫苗免疫原性和保护性显著高于单价疫苗,为手足口病疫苗的研发提供了新的思路及实验基础。     

东方马脑炎病毒VLPs表达与免疫原性研究

目的表达东方马脑炎病毒(EEEV)病毒样粒子(VLPs),研究其免疫原性。方法采用PCR方法扩增目的基因,酶切之后连接到供体质粒pFastBacTM1上,构建成重组质粒pFastBacTM1-C-E,然后重组质粒经过基因重组作用与家蚕核型多角体病毒(BmNPV)形成重组病毒BmNPV-C-E,BmNPV-C-E被转染到BmN细胞后以表达VLPs。VLPs鉴定表达正确后,用纯化VLPs与弗氏佐剂乳化成免疫原免疫小鼠,免疫剂量为15μg/只,免疫途径为后肢肌肉注射,免疫2次且间隔时间为14 d。2免后第7天检测免疫小鼠外周血中CD4+T细胞/CD8+T细胞比例和细胞因子IL-2、IFN-γ和TNF-α含量,2免后第14天采用ELISA方法检测免疫小鼠血清内抗体IgG效价。结果研究结果显示实验组小鼠的CD4+T细胞/CD8+T细胞比例和细胞因子IL-2、IFN-γ和TNF-α质量浓度与对照组相比差异均显著(P0.01),免疫原实验组和VLPs免疫组2免后的血清效价分别为1∶128与1∶64,而对照组小鼠血清中没有产生IgG抗体。结论结果表明BmNPV-C-E能在BmN细胞中成功表达EEEV VLPs,并且VLPs能够刺激小鼠产生明显免疫反应,具有较强免疫原性,这为EEEV新型疫苗研究提供了重要参考。     

不同EV71毒株的免疫保护差异性研究

目的 对用MRC-5细胞分离的5株EV71疫苗候选株进行差异性研究,旨在筛选出符合疫苗制备需要的病毒株.方法 将5株单克隆化的EV71疫莳候选株制备成试验苗,腹腔接种ICR雌性小鼠,加强免疫两周后,雌雄配对,饲养2周,对雌鼠再加强免疫1次,并对出生24 h内的乳鼠进行颅腔攻毒,观察乳鼠生存状况;用ELISA法检测母鼠和乳鼠血清IgG滴度;用巢式PCR检测攻毒乳鼠肠道EV71载量;用MRC-5细胞培养法检测免疫血清对病毒的中和能力;用SPSS16.0对实验数据进行统计分析.结果 5株病毒免疫的雌鼠血清抗体水平随免疫次数增加而提高、抗体对病毒的中和能力存在差别;致死株攻毒的乳鼠存活状况存在差别,非致死株攻毒的乳鼠肠道EV71载量也存在差别.结论 从分子水平、细胞水平和个体水平上证实5株病毒的免疫原性和免疫保护性存在差别,123株是免疫保护力最好的一株,可用于疫苗研究.     

柯萨奇病毒A组16型疫苗免疫后中和抗体检测方法的比较

目的 采用3种方法检测灭活的柯萨奇病毒A组16型(CA16)疫苗的免疫保护性抗体水平,旨在构建评价疫苗免疫保护的检测平台.方法 CA16候选株疫苗(3726,4430和4432)按0、4、6、8周,经腹腔接种小鼠、大鼠和豚鼠,采集0、4、6、8周和10周血样.通过竞争抑制ELISA、细胞微孔病变实验和乳鼠攻毒保护实验评估免疫血清中和抗体水平,利用SPSS16.0软件分析3种检测方法相关性.结果 血清中和抗体在首次加强免疫2周后达到峰值;竞争抑制ELISA和细胞微孔病变实验测得中和效价的相关系数为0.861;竞争抑制ELISA和乳鼠攻毒保护的相关系数为0.8;细胞微孔病变实验和乳鼠攻毒保护的相关系数为0.89.结论 竞争抑制ELISA检测中和抗体与“金标准”相比具有灵敏、快速、大量、低廉等特点,具有广阔的应用前景.     

登革病毒1、2型单、双价病毒样颗粒的免疫原性研究

目的初步研究登革病毒1、2型单、双价病毒样颗粒（VLP）的免疫原性。方法表达纯化各型VLP。用纯化好的VLP免疫BALB／c小鼠,将BALB／c小鼠随机分PBS组、灭活DENV1、灭活DENV2、纯化VLP1、纯化VLP2、纯化VLP1＋2组,以灭活病毒为阳性对照,PBS为阴性对照。ELISA法检测小鼠血清抗vLP抗体效价以及血清IFN-1、TNF-α细胞因子水平,流式细胞术检测小鼠脾细胞CD4＋细胞和CD8＋细胞数。结果登革病毒1、2型单、双价VLP均能刺激免疫小鼠产生一定程度的抗血清效价,VLP1的抗体水平较VLP2的低,双价VLP组针对DENV2抗原的抗体水平上升明显,是单价VLP2的2-3倍;攻毒后。灭活DENV1和VLP2可以产生高水平的IFN-1,分别为60和35pg／ml,双价VLP组的较低;VLV2组的TNF-α一直保持较高水平,双价vLP组中攻DENV2组的TNF咀水平较DENVl组高;三次免疫后,各实验组较之PBS组CD4＋细胞的比例都有下降,而CD8＋细胞变化不大,除灭活DENV1组有增加,其余各组都有减少。结论无论单、双价VLP均能刺激小鼠产生一定程度的体液免疫和细胞免疫反应,联合免疫有一定程度的协同性。     

人乳头瘤病毒L2 蛋白的病毒样颗粒疫苗研究

目的:构建乙肝病毒核心抗原(HBcAg)与人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)L2抗原的融合蛋白,在大肠杆菌中重组表达形成病毒样颗粒结构;通过小鼠模型检测HBc-L2融合蛋白的免疫原性,并研究免疫后获得的小鼠血清对HPV假病毒的中和效力。方法:通过DNA合成构建16型人乳头瘤病毒L2基因片段与HBcAg基因的融合基因,将其克隆至表达载体p ET9a并在大肠杆菌中进行HBc-L2融合蛋白表达;将经纯化、鉴定后的融合蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠,用间接ELISA方法检测小鼠血清中针对L2抗原的抗体效价,并分别研究小鼠血清对16型和18型HPV假病毒的中和效力。结果:HBc-L2融合基因经大肠杆菌系统表达形成可溶性蛋白,经硫酸铵沉淀和CL-4B凝胶分离纯化后获得纯度80%的HBc-L2蛋白;分子筛高效液相色谱-多角度激光光散射(SEC-MALS)联用技术和透射电子显微镜的分析结果表明,HBc-L2融合蛋白在表达过程中自动组装形成稳定的病毒样颗粒;将纯化后的HBc-L2蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠可获得针对L2抗原的高滴度抗体,且小鼠血清具有中和16和18型两种假病毒的中和抗体活性。结论:HBc-L2病毒样颗粒可以有效地增强L2抗原的免疫原性,并可刺激机体产生针对多型HPV的免疫保护力,是一个具有潜力的新型广谱HPV疫苗。     

人博卡病毒VP2病毒样颗粒诱导特异性细胞免疫反应的研究

目的 探讨酶联免疫斑点试验(ELISPOT)检测人博卡病毒(HBoV) VP2病毒样颗粒(VLPs)诱导特异性细胞免疫反应的最佳条件.方法 HBoV VP2 VLPs免疫小鼠后,用ELISPOT方法检测小鼠的特异性细胞免疫反应,观察不同多肽刺激、不同细胞培养时间、不同细胞浓度以及不同浓度特异性刺激多肽条件下ELISPOT结果.结果 多肽P3(GYIPIENEL)及P5(LYQMPFFLL)刺激HBoV1 VLPs免疫小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞产生斑点数分别为233个/10(6)和157个/10(6)细胞,P8(GYIPVIHEL)刺激HBoV2 VLPs免疫小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞产生斑点数为113个/10(6)细胞;培养时间以24 h为最佳,此时HBoV1与HBoV2实验组特异性分泌IFN-(ｒ)的比率分别为232个/10(6)和119个/10(6)细胞;小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞浓度以5×10(5)为最佳,此时HBoV1与HBoV2实验组特异性分泌IFN-(γ)的比率分别为232个/10(6)和108个/10(6)细胞;刺激物浓度10μg/ml为最佳,HBoV1与HBoV2实验组特异性分泌IFN-(γ)的比率分别为233个/10(6)和96个/10(6)细胞.结论 HBoV1与HBoV2特异性BABL/c小鼠T细胞表位多肽分别为HBoV1:P3;HBoV2:P8.检测人博卡病毒VP2病毒样颗粒诱导特异性细胞免疫反应ELISPOT方法最佳实验条件为:培养时间24 h,细胞浓度5×10(5)细胞/孔,刺激多肽终浓度10 μg/ml,可用于HBoV在小鼠上的细胞免疫研究.     

人乳头瘤病毒16型结构基因L1在昆虫细胞中的表达及其生物学活性

目的 研究与宫颈癌及人类其它多种组织癌症密切相关的人乳头瘤病毒16型（HPV16）的晚期基因L1的表达及其生物学活性。方法 采用PCR法从pBSSK-B/16L1扩增了来自中国妇女鲍温病组织标本的HPV16晚期基因L1,装入杆状病毒转移载体;在DH10Bac内通过转座子Tn7的介导,使携带有杆状病毒多角体蛋白基因启动子Ppolh的HPV16 L1基因整合入杆状病毒,形成重组杆状病毒;转染昆虫细胞Sf9进行表达;将感染72h的Sf9细胞包埋、切片、染色后,电镜观察。提取L1蛋白,免疫BALB／ c小鼠。结果 重组杆状病毒在Sf9细胞内高效表达出L1蛋白,经Western blot发现能与L1抗体特异地结合;薄层扫描显示所表达的L1蛋白占Sf9细胞总蛋白的比例高达31％。经透射电镜观察表明,在细胞核里有大量的重组杆状病毒形成;并且产生了大量的由HPV16 L1蛋白单体自组装的病毒样颗粒（virus-like particles,VLP)。小鼠免疫实验结果表明,所表达的HPV16 L1蛋白单体自组装的病毒样颗粒（virus-like particles,VLP)。小鼠免疫实验结果表明,所表达的HPV16 L1蛋白具有强免疫原性。结论 此研究为今后L1基因分子流行病学检查、L1蛋白的结构生物学研究、疫苗研制以及HPV相关基础性研究提供了有用的资料。     

Protection against lethal challenge by Ebola virus-like particles produced in insect cells

Ebola virus-like particles (VLPs) were produced in insect cells using a recombinant baculovirus expression system and their efficacy for protection against Ebola virus infection was investigated. Two immunizations with 50 μg Ebola VLPs (high dose) induced a high level of antibodies against Ebola GP that exhibited strong neutralizing activity against GP-mediated virus infection and conferred complete protection of vaccinated mice against lethal challenge by a high dose of mouse-adapted Ebola virus. In contrast, two immunizations with 10 μg Ebola VLPs (low dose) induced 5-fold lower levels of antibodies against GP and these mice were not protected against lethal Ebola virus challenge, similar to control mice that were immunized with 50 μg SIV Gag VLPs. However, the antibody responses against GP were boosted significantly after a third immunization with 10 μg Ebola VLPs to similar levels as those induced by two immunizations with 50 μg Ebola VLPs, and vaccinated mice were also effectively protected against lethal Ebola virus challenge. Furthermore, serum viremia levels in protected mice were either below the level of detection or significantly lower compared to the viremia levels in control mice. These results show that effective protection can be achieved by immunization with Ebola VLPs produced in insect cells, which give high production yields, and lend further support to their development as an effective vaccine strategy against Ebola virus.     

Ebola virus-like particles produced in insect cells exhibit dendritic cell stimulating activity and induce neutralizing antibodies

Recombinant baculoviruses (rBV) expressing Ebola virus VP40 (rBV-VP40) or GP (rBV-GP) proteins were generated. Infection of Sf9 insect cells by rBV-VP40 led to assembly and budding of filamentous particles from the cell surface as shown by electron microscopy. Ebola virus-like particles (VLPs) were produced by coinfection of Sf9 cells with rBV-VP40 and rBV-GP, and incorporation of Ebola GP into VLPs was demonstrated by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Recombinant baculovirus infection of insect cells yielded high levels of VLPs, which were shown to stimulate cytokine secretion from human dendritic cells similar to VLPs produced in mammalian cells. The immunogenicity of Ebola VLPs produced in insect cells was evaluated by immunization of mice. Analysis of antibody responses showed that most of the GP-specific antibodies were of the IgG2a subtype, while no significant level of IgG1 subtype antibodies specific for GP was induced, indicating the induction of a Th1-biased immune response. Furthermore, sera from Ebola VLP immunized mice were able to block infection by Ebola GP pseudotyped HIV virus in a single round infection assay, indicating that a neutralizing antibody against the Ebola GP protein was induced. These results show that production of Ebola VLPs in insect cells using recombinant baculoviruses represents a promising approach for vaccine development against Ebola virus infection.     

Virus-like particle vaccine conferred complete protection against a lethal influenza virus challenge

We have previously demonstrated the formation and release of influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) from the surface of Sf9 cells infected with either a quadruple baculovirus recombinant that simultaneously expresses the influenza structural proteins hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), matrix 1 (M1), and matrix 2 (M2), or a combination of single recombinants that include the M1 protein. In this work, we present data on the immunogenicity and protective efficacy afforded by VLPs (formed by M1 and HA) after immunization of mice. VLP vaccine ( approximately 1 microg HA) were formulated with or without IL-12 as adjuvant and administered twice, at 2-week intervals, by either intranasal instillation or intramuscular injection. All VLP-vaccinated and influenza-immunized control mice demonstrated high antibody titers to the HA protein; however, intranasal instillation of VLPs elicited antibody titers that were higher than those induced by either intramuscular inoculation of VLPs or intranasal inoculation with two sub-lethal doses of the challenge influenza virus (control group). Antibody responses were enhanced when VLP vaccine was formulated with IL12 as adjuvant. All mice were challenged with 5 LD50 of a mouse-adapted influenza A/Hong Kong/68 (H3N2) virus. Intramuscular administration of VLP vaccine formulated with or without IL-12 afforded 100% protection against a lethal influenza virus challenge. Similarly, intranasal instillation of VLP vaccine alone protected 100% of the mice, whereas VLP formulated with IL-12 protected 90% of the vaccinated mice. Not only do these results suggest a novel approach to the development of VLP vaccines for diverse influenza virus strains, but also the creation of multivalent vaccines by decoration of the surface of the VLPs with antigens from other pathogens.     

Virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine conferred complete protection against a lethal influenza virus challenge

We have previously demonstrated the formation and release of influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) from the surface of Sf9 cells infected with either a quadruple baculovirus recombinant that simultaneously expresses the influenza structural proteins hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), matrix 1 (M1) and M2, or a combination of single recombinants that include the M1 protein. In this work, we present data on the immunogenicity and protective efficacy afforded by VLPs (formed by M1 and HA) following immunization of mice. VLP vaccine (approximately 1 microg HA) were formulated with or without IL-12 as adjuvant and administered twice, at two weeks intervals, by either intranasal instillation or intramuscular injection. All VLP-vaccinated and influenza-immunized control mice demonstrated high antibody titers to the HA protein; however, intranasal instillation of VLPs elicited antibody titers that were higher than those induced by either intramuscular inoculation of VLPs or intranasal inoculation with two sub-lethal doses of the challenge influenza virus (control group). Antibody responses were enhanced when VLP vaccine was formulated with IL12 as adjuvant. All mice were challenged with 5 LD50 of a mouse-adapted influenza A/Hong Kong/68 (H3N2) virus. Intramuscular administration of VLP vaccine formulated with or without IL-12 afforded 100% protection against a lethal influenza virus challenge. Similarly, intranasal instillation of VLP vaccine alone protected 100% of the mice, whereas VLP formulated with IL-12 protected 90% of the vaccinated mice. Not only do these results suggest a novel approach to the development of VLP vaccines for diverse influenza virus strains, but also the creation of multivalent vaccines by decoration of the surface of the VLPs with antigens from other pathogens.     

Virus-Like Particle Vaccine Confers Protection against a Lethal Newcastle Disease Virus Challenge in Chickens and Allows a Strategy of Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals

In this study, we developed Newcastle disease virus (NDV) virus-like particles (VLPs) expressing NDV fusion (F) protein along with influenza virus matrix 1 (M1) protein using the insect cell expression system. Specific-pathogen-free chickens were immunized with oil emulsion NDV VLP vaccines containing increasing dosages of VLPs (0.4, 2, 10, or 50 μg of VLPs/0.5-ml dose). Three weeks after immunization, the immunogenicity of the NDV VLP vaccines was determined using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, and a lethal challenge using a highly virulent NDV strain was performed to evaluate the protective efficacy of the NDV VLP vaccines. NDV VLP vaccines elicited anti-NDV antibodies and provided protection against a lethal challenge in a dose-dependent manner. Although the VLP vaccines containing 0.4 and 2 μg of VLPs failed to achieve high levels of protection, a single immunization with NDV VLP vaccine containing 10 or 50 μg could fully protect chickens from a lethal challenge and greatly reduced challenge virus shedding. Furthermore, we could easily differentiate infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA) using the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. These results strongly suggest that utilization of NDV VLP vaccine in poultry species may be a promising strategy for the better control of NDV.     

Immunogenicity and efficacy of immunodeficiency virus-like particles pseudotyped with the G protein of vesicular stomatitis virus

Vaccination with exogenous antigens such as recombinant viral proteins, immunodeficiency virus-derived whole inactivated virus particles, or virus-like particles (VLP) has generally failed to provide sufficient protection in animal models for AIDS. Pseudotyping VLPs with the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein (VSV-G), which is known to mediate entry into dendritic cells, might allow more efficient stimulation of immune responses. Therefore, we pseudotyped noninfectious immunodeficiency virus-like particles with VSV-G and carried out a preliminary screen of their immunogenicity and vaccination efficacy. Incorporation of VSV-G into HIV-1 VLPs led to hundred-fold higher antibody titers to HIV-1 Gag and enhancement of T cell responses in mice. Repeated vaccination of rhesus monkeys for 65 weeks with VSV-G pseudotyped simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-like particles (VLP[G]) provided initial evidence for efficient suppression of viral load after mucosal challenge with the SIVmac239 virus. Challenge of monkeys after a 28 week vaccination regimen with VLP[G] led to a reduction in peak viremia, but persistent suppression of viral load was not achieved. Due to limitations in the number of animals available for this study, improved efficacy of VSV-G pseudotyped VLPs in nonhuman primates could not be demonstrated. However, mouse experiments revealed that pseudotyping of VLPs with fusion-competent VSV-G clearly improves their immunogenicity. Additional strategies, particularly adjuvants, should be considered to provide greater protection against a challenge with pathogenic immunodeficiency virus.     

Self-assembly,antigenicity, and immunogenicity of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (Czechoslovakian strain V-351) capsid protein expressed in baculovirus

Summary Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) capsid protein was expressed in a baculovirus system. Analysis of the expressed product showed that the recombinant protein, which is 60 kDa in size, was antigenic as revealed by its reactions in ELISA and Western blot with the antibodies raised against RHDV. Direct electron microscopy of the cell culture supernatant and the purified protein demonstrated that the capsid protein expressed in insect cells self-assembled to form empty virus-like particles (VLP) which are similar in size and morphology to that of native virus. These particles were immunoreactive with polyclonal anti-RHDV antibodies and with four monoclonal antibodies which recognise conformational epitopes of the virus. The results indicated that the VLPs were morphologically and antigenically indistinguishable from native virus. The recombinant VLPs induced high levels of RHDV-specific antibodies in rabbits and mice following immunisation. The immune response to the VLPs protected the rabbits following challenge with the virulent RHDV. In haemagglutination assays, the VLPs bound to human red blood cells similar to the native virus particles. The recombinant protein and or VLPs is suitable for the development of a rapid, sensitive and reliable test for detection of antibodies to RHDV and for use as a vaccine for domestic rabbits.     

Influenza M1 VLPs containing neuraminidase induce heterosubtypic cross-protection

Influenza virus like particles (VLPs) containing hemagglutinin were previously demonstrated to induce protection against the homologous strains. However, little information is available on the protective role of neuraminidase (NA), the second major glycoprotein. In this study, we developed VLPs (NA VLPs) containing NA and M1 derived from A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) influenza virus, and investigated their ability to induce protective immunity. Intranasal immunization with NA VLPs induced serum antibody responses to H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses as well as significant neuraminidase inhibition activity. Importantly, mice immunized with NA VLPs were 100% protected against lethal infection by the homologous A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) as well as heterosubtypic A/Philippines/82 (H3N2) virus, although body weight loss was observed after lethal challenge with heterosubtypic H3N2 virus. The present study therefore provides evidence that influenza VLPs containing M1 and NA are capable of inducing immunity to homologous as well as antigenically distinct influenza A virus strains.