Baculovirus-expressed influenza vaccine. A novel technology for safe and expeditious vaccine production for human use

Abstract

Effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in persons with high-risk conditions needs to be improved. In this paper, the authors review various vaccination strategies, including repeated doses of the vaccine or the use of higher hemagglutinin (HA) content vaccines that have been shown to result in improved immunogenicity. A recombinant HA vaccine produced in insect cells using the baculovirus vectors system presents the possibility for safe and expeditious vaccine production. The high purity of the antigen enables administration at much higher doses without a significant increase in side effects in human subjects. An overview of the use of this production system for the development of alternative influenza vaccine targets is also provided, such as neuraminidase and possibly M2. However, the role of M2 may be more appropriate as an adjuvant vaccine in combination with standard HA vaccine supplement and needs further evaluation. The conclusion that the insect cell-baculovirus production technology is a modern solution for rapid viral or parasitic antigen production is made and that this technology is particularly suitable for influenza where annual adjustment of the vaccine is required. In addition, a highly purified recombinant protein vaccine results in an improved influenza vaccine response in those with high-risk medical conditions.