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.

The development of a computationally optimized influenza HA protein that elicits broadly reactive immune response to all H5N1 influenza virus isolates is described. The optimized HA protein was developed through a series of HA protein alignments, and subsequent generation of consensus sequences, for clade 2 H5N1 influenza virus isolates. The final consensus HA amino acid sequence was reverse translated and optimized for expression in mammalian cells. Influenza virus-like particles containing the optimized HA protein are an effective vaccine against H5N1 influenza virus infection in animals.

Provided herein are chimeric influenza hemagglutinin (HA) polypeptides, compositions comprising the same, vaccines comprising the same, and methods of their use.

Provided herein are chimeric influenza hemagglutinin (HA) polypeptides, compositions comprising the same, vaccines comprising the same, and methods of their use.

This disclosure provides compositions that include a mixture of viral like particles (VLPs), expressing different individual influenza hemagglutinin (HA) proteins that elicit broadly reactive immune responses to a wide variety of influenza viruses. For example, the composition can include at least two different influenza VLPs, a first VLP comprising a first HA polypeptide and a second VLP comprising a second influenza HA polypeptide, wherein the first and the second HA polypeptide are different subtypes and/or are from different influenza viruses, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or an adjuvant. Methods of using the disclosed polymeric influenza VLP compositions to stimulate an immune response against influenza viruses, for example as a pre-pandemic or a seasonal vaccine, are provided.

The present invention provides, among other things, a novel and improved method for generating mosaic influenza antigenic polypeptides including hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) polypeptides based on unique combination of epitope patterns that maximize exposure to epitopes present across multiple HA or NA sequences and therefore improved influenza strain coverage. In particular, the present invention provides engineered H1N1 influenza hemagglutinin (HA) polypeptides that are comprised of novel combinations of protective epitopes and antigenic regions from multiple H1N1 viral strains. Such engineered HA polypeptides have improved properties over HA polypeptides developed through conventional approaches that rely on consensus alignments of viral sequences.

Provided herein are membrane enveloped virus-like particles (VLPs), and methods of use and synthesis thereof. In particular, yeast-cell-derived VLPs are provided that comprise surface-displayed glycoproteins and/or multiple virally-derived proteins.

Provided herein are chimeric influenza hemagglutinin (HA) polypeptides, compositions comprising the same, vaccines comprising the same, and methods of their use.

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.

An isolated expression enhancer active in a plant, portion of a plant or plant cell, the expression enhancer is provided. The isolated expression enhancer may be selected from the group consisting of nbEPI42 (SEQ ID NO:1); nbSNS46 (SEQ ID NO:2); nbCSY65 (SEQ ID NO:3); nbHEL40 (SEQ ID NO:4); and nbSEP44 (SEQ ID NO:5). Methods for using the isolated expression enhancer are also provided.