Universal Flu Vaccine Can Protect Against H1 Viruses

A universal influenza vaccine has shown promise after an initial serological study in children and a demonstration in a mouse model.

“The identification of epitopes of limited variability offers a mechanism by which a universal influenza vaccine can be created; these vaccines would also have the potential to protect against newly emerging influenza strains,” the researchers wrote.

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To begin, the researchers studied the sera from young children taken in 2006-2007. Neutralization assays and ELISAs were used to understand the pattern of cross-reactivity to historical isolates consistent with the recycling of epitopes of limited variability.

Results of the serology study showed that the sera were able to cross-react with a panel of historical isolates and that the epitopes induced a protective immunity. 

Then the researchers vaccinated mice with the 2006 and 1977 epitope conformations, results of which confirmed the findings in the serology study.

“Our results demonstrate the existence of a highly immunogenic epitope of limited variability in the head domain of the H1 HA, which has been theorized by mathematical modelling studies to drive the antigenic evolution of influenza,” the researchers concluded.

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Thompson CP, Lourenço J, Walters AA, et al. A naturally protective epitope of limited variability as an influenza vaccine target [published online September 21, 2018]. Nature Comm. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06228-8.