Chances of Universal Flu Vaccine Improved by Strain Prediction

Researchers at the University of Melbourne have developed a method of predicting and potentially protecting against new strains of seasonal influenza, which may also help vaccine developers combat the mutation of the virus and the development of future strains.

By studying the ways in which influenza viruses mutate to escape detection by white blood cells, Katherine Kedzierska of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne, and colleagues, established a method of predicting these mutations, a finding which may lead to the development of a universal influenza vaccine.

“White blood cells called T cells are highly efficient in fighting influenza virus infection,” Kedzierska said. “Thus, established T cell immunity towards particular viral regions can provide ‘universal’ immunity against distinct seasonal and pandemic influenza strains.” 

“However, influenza viruses can mutate their genes to escape efficient T cells. This constitutes a major problem for a design of a universal vaccine.”

With the new understanding of the mutations in the proteins of the influenza virus, researchers hope to develop vaccines that will target T cells and recognize distinct virual strains, thereby providing universal immunity against future strains of the disease. 

–Michael Potts

References

Prediction of seasonal flu strains improves chances of universal vaccine [press release].  Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne University; March 12, 2013