Elias Tjärnhage

• Tjärnhage, Elias; Våtsveen, Thea Kristin; Raki, Melinda; Nemazee, David; Farhan, Hesso & Munthe, Ludvig Andre [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2026). Repurposing ALK inhibitors as influenza and corona virus antivirals targeting lymphocyte tyrosine kinase (LTK). Virus Research. ISSN 0168-1702. 370. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2026.199759. Full text in Research Archive
• Anderson, Ane Marie; Tjärnhage, Elias; Hinke, Daniëla Maria; Braathen, Ranveig; Grødeland, Gunnveig & Bogen, Bjarne (2025). DNA vaccines targeting hemagglutinin from 18 subtypes of influenza A virus to antigen-presenting cells confer broad protection. Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids. 37(1). doi: 10.1016/j.omtn.2025.102814. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Novel vaccines that confer broad protection against influenza A viruses (IAVs) are urgently needed. Hemagglutinin (HA) is the major influenza antigen targeted by protective immune responses. We have here developed a DNA vaccine that simultaneously presents HA from 18 subtypes of IAV to the immune system. The vaccine consists of a DNA plasmid mixture that encodes a variety of dimeric vaccine proteins. Each dimer expresses two different HAs, as well as a targeting moiety directing the vaccine protein to antigen-presenting cells (APCs). When the vaccine proteins were targeted toward chemokine receptors 1, 3, and 5 (CCR1/3/5) on APC by means of macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha (MIP1α) (CCL3), vaccinated mice were broadly protected against infection with H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, and H7N1 influenza viruses. Furthermore, antibody-mediated protection against H1N1 was maintained when the H1 antigen was removed from the plasmid mixture, indicating that the diversity of HAs in the mixture promoted formation of antibodies specific for shared, conservative epitopes. The results may guide the development of a broadly protective influenza A vaccine for humans

• Anthi, Aina Karen; Kolderup, Heidi Anette; Vaage, Eline Benno; Bern, Malin C.; Benjakul, Sopisa & Tjärnhage, Elias [Show all 32 contributors for this article] (2025). An intranasal subunit vaccine induces protective systemic and mucosal antibody immunity against respiratory viruses in mouse models. Nature Communications. 16(1), p. 1–16. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59353-6. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Although vaccines are usually given intramuscularly, the intranasal delivery route may lead to better mucosal protection and limit the spread of respiratory virus while easing administration and improving vaccine acceptance. The challenge, however, is to achieve delivery across the selective epithelial cell barrier. Here we report on a subunit vaccine platform, in which the antigen is genetically fused to albumin to facilitate FcRn-mediated transport across the mucosal barrier in the presence of adjuvant. Intranasal delivery in conventional and transgenic mouse models induces both systemic and mucosal antigen-specific antibody responses that protect against challenge with SARS-CoV-2 or influenza A. When benchmarked against an intramuscularly administered mRNA vaccine or an intranasally administered antigen fused to an alternative carrier of similar size, only the albumin-based intranasal vaccine yields robust mucosal IgA antibody responses. Our results thus suggest that this needle-free, albumin-based vaccine platform may be suited for vaccination against respiratory pathogens.

• Tjärnhage, Elias; Brown, Diamond; Bogen, Bjarne; Andersen, Tor Kristian & Grødeland, Gunnveig (2023). Trimeric, APC-Targeted Subunit Vaccines Protect Mice against Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza. Journal of Virology. ISSN 0022-538X. 97:e01694-22(2), p. 1–16. doi: 10.1128/jvi.01694-22. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Subunit vaccines present only selected viral proteins to the immune system and allow for safe and easy production. Here, we have developed a novel vaccine where influenza hemagglutinin is presented in the natural trimeric form and then steered toward antigen-presenting cells for increased immunogenicity. We demonstrate efficient induction of antibodies and T-cell responses, and demonstrate that the vaccine format can protect mice against influenza subtypes H1N1, H5N1, and H7N1.

View all works in NVA

• Ruso-Julve, Fulgencio; Sakya, Siri Aastedatter; Kolderup, Anette; Tjärnhage, Elias; Benjakul, Sopisa & Nilsen, Jeannette [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2024). Engineered albumin as an effector negative scaffold for tailored design of long acting antibody fragment fusions. European Journal of Immunology. ISSN 0014-2980. 54, p. 802–802. Full text in Research Archive
• Ruso-Julve, Fulgencio; Sakya, Siri A; Kolderup, Heidi Anette; Tjärnhage, Elias; Benjakul, Sopisa & Nilsen, Jeannette [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2024). Engineered human albumin as an effector negative scaffold for tailored design of long-acting antibody fragment fusions. Full text in Research Archive
• Skogstrøm, Lene; Grødeland, Gunnveig & Tjärnhage, Elias (2023). Ny influensavaksine utviklet i Norge: Kan bli brukt ved fremtidige pandemier. [Journal]. Aftenposten. Full text in Research Archive
• Anthi, Aina Karen; Kolderup, Heidi Anette; Vaage, Eline Benno; Bern, Malin C.; Benjakul, Sopisa & Tjärnhage, Elias [Show all 30 contributors for this article] (2023). A novel non-invasive FcRn-targeted mucosal vaccine strategy. Full text in Research Archive
• Grødeland, Gunnveig & Tjärnhage, Elias (2023). Ny influensavaksine for bedre fremtidig beskyttelse. Ekspertsykehuset OUS. Full text in Research Archive
• Anthi, Aina Karen; Kolderup, Heidi Anette; Vaage, Eline Benno; Bern, Malin C.; Benjakul, Sopisa & Tjärnhage, Elias [Show all 30 contributors for this article] (2023). A non-invasive subunit vaccine technology targeting FcRn induces protective mucosal and systemic antibody immunity in mouse models. Full text in Research Archive
• Anthi, Aina Karen; Kolderup, Heidi Anette; Vaage, Eline Benno; Bern, Malin C.; Benjakul, Sopisa & Tjärnhage, Elias [Show all 30 contributors for this article] (2023). A novel non-invasive FcRn-targeted mucosal vaccine strategy. Full text in Research Archive
• Anthi, Aina Karen; Vaage, Eline Benno; Bern, Malin C.; Benjakul, Sopisa; Tjärnhage, Elias & Lode, Heidrun Elisabeth [Show all 29 contributors for this article] (2023). A non-invasive subunit vaccine technology targeting FcRn induces protective mucosal and systemic antibody immunity in mouse models. Full text in Research Archive

View all works in NVA