Discovery of immune cells to pave the way for the universal flu shot – details inside

Sydney: Australian researchers have identified immune cells that can fight against all strains of the influenza virus, a finding that gives hope for a universal vaccine that does not require an annual update. The team at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infections and Immunity has identified immune cells called killer T-cells capable of fighting all influenza viruses – A, B, and C.

This is a paradigm-breaking discovery that could lead to the development of a world-first, universal, unvaccinated influenza vaccine that does not need to be developed. Be updated every year, said the researchers.

"Influenza viruses continually mutate to escape the recognition of our immune system, and they are extremely diverse, making prediction and vaccination against the strain responsible for the next influenza pandemic almost impossible," said Marios Koutsakos. of the Institute.

The study, published in the journal Nature Immunology, identified parts of the virus that are shared by all strains of influenza as well as by sub-strains capable of infecting humans.

They also studied "if we could find robust responses to these viral parts in healthy humans, adults and children infected with the flu," Koutsakos said. The team now has a patent on discoveries, which will allow it to develop a universal vaccine approach to reduce the impact of the pandemic and seasonal flu worldwide.

In addition to experiments with the human immune system aimed at proving the commonality of killer T-cells among all influenza strains, which had never been done before, the research team conducted vaccination tests to demonstrate the protective capacity of killer T cells.

"Our studies of immunization with the peptide responsible for activating killer T-cells have revealed a remarkable reduction in influenza virus levels and inflammation of the airways," Koutsakos said.