Avian influenza chimeric VLPS
This invention discloses a method of increasing production of virus-like particles comprising expressing an avian influenza matrix protein. The invention also comprises methods of making and using said VLPs.
1. A method of increasing the efficiency of influenza virus-like particle (VLP) production comprising expressing an avian influenza matrix (M1) protein and at least one non-avian influenza protein in a host cell,
wherein the avian influenza M1 protein is derived from A/Indonesia/5/05 influenza, and
whereby increased VLP production is obtained in the host cell comprising the avian influenza M1 protein compared to a host cell expressing a non-avian influenza M1 protein.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said A/Indonesia/5/05 M1 protein comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said non-avian influenza protein is an influenza hemagglutinin (HA) protein.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said influenza HA protein is derived from a strain of seasonal influenza virus.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein said influenza HA protein has hemagglutinin activity.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein said influenza HA protein is a chimeric protein.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said chimeric protein comprises the external domain of non-avian influenza HA protein fused to the transmembrane and/or cytoplasmic terminal domains of an avian influenza HA protein.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said avian influenza HA protein is derived from influenza strain A/Indonesia/5/05.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said non-avian influenza protein is an influenza neuraminidase (NA) protein.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said influenza NA protein is derived from a strain of seasonal influenza virus.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein said influenza NA protein has neuraminidase activity.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein said influenza NA protein is a chimeric protein.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said chimeric protein comprises the external domain of non-avian influenza NA protein fused to the transmembrane and/or cytoplasmic terminal domains of an avian influenza NA protein.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said avian influenza NA protein is derived from influenza strain A/Indonesia/5/05.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein said host cell is selected from the group consisting of yeast, insect, amphibian, avian, and mammalian cells.