A novel vaccine strategy appears promising in focusing on a less fluctuating area of the influenza virus

Dr. Priya Sutaoney

Assistant Professor

Department of Microbiology

Kalinga University, Raipur (C.G)

By developing a vaccine that stimulates the immune system to focus on a less changeable area of the virus surface, Duke scientists have established a new front in the fight against influenza viruses. Their strategy proved effective in mouse trials and could result in more widely protective influenza vaccinations and a reduction in the need for a yearly vaccination that is specific to the virus strains of that year. Influenza kills more than 500 thousand individuals worldwide each year, even with vaccinations. Immunizations prime the body to combat virus components specific to the varieties of virus that are expected to present the biggest risk during the forthcoming flu season. The influenza virus continuously modifies the protein surfaces that vaccines target, which is why we require a fresh dose every autumn rather than because the vaccination fades out. Thus, the Duke group set out to create proteins that trigger an immune reaction that targets the stalk instead of the head. In order for the immune system to recognise these (head region features), the virus has evolved throughout time. However, the virus can alter these forms. That is a cunning tactic. Because stalk regions remained stable, the experimental vaccine induced a stronger immune response to them in both lab testing and animals. This enhanced the body’s overall immunological defence against the vaccine and, in certain situations, even enhanced the body’s antibody reaction to the protein’s head region. Antibodies specific to stalks behave differently,” “It’s not always a good idea to block the early stages of infection. So it was thought by the duke researchers, what if we could develop a vaccination that would give us both? What happens if, in the event that a pandemic strikes or the vaccination selection is incorrect and we obtain both good head and stalk antibodies at the same time. In certain trials, 100% of the mice that received a shot of the extremely variable vaccination were able to prevent contracting a sickness or dying from what would have been fatal doses of influenza viruses.