Evaluation of the role of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase immunity in airborne transmission of influenza viruses
Restricted (Penn State Only)
- Author:
- Septer, Kayla
- Graduate Program:
- Pathobiology
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- August 01, 2024
- Committee Members:
- Anthony Schmitt, Professor in Charge/Director of Graduate Studies
Anthony Schmitt, Major Field Member
Troy Sutton, Chair & Dissertation Advisor
Parisa Kalantari, Major Field Member
Moriah Szpara, Outside Unit & Field Member - Keywords:
- neuraminidase (NA)
intranasal vaccination
influenza
animal models
infection
antibodies
ferret
immunity
influenza vaccines
airborne transmission
neuraminidase
hemagglutinin - Abstract:
- Current licensed influenza vaccines induce antibodies toward the viral surface glycoprotein, hemagglutinin (HA). Hemagglutinin antibodies induced via vaccination reduce clinical illness and disease severity, but these vaccines do not prevent influenza virus infection. The second influenza surface glycoprotein, neuraminidase (NA), is also incorporated into influenza vaccines, but the amount is not quantified or standardized. However, individuals often generate antibodies directed against NA after vaccination or infection. Antibodies against NA reduce disease severity and enhance viral clearance upon influenza infection but do not prevent infection. While immunity to HA or NA reduces disease severity, the role of immunity to HA and/or NA alone or together on viral transmission has not been widely explored. Therefore, we evaluated whether NA immunity induced via intramuscular injection could disrupt chains of airborne transmission. Next, we assessed whether immunity induced against one or both antigens via intramuscular vaccination, intranasal vaccination, or infection could minimize airborne transmission. We found that immunity to HA or NA alone could reduce viral shedding and transmission of influenza to varying degrees. However, regardless of the strategy used to induce immunity, animals with immunity to both HA and NA antigens exhibited the greatest reductions in transmission. This work emphasizes the importance of influenza vaccines that target both HA and NA to better control viral replication and transmission of influenza viruses.