A Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine Elicits Enhanced Heterologous Protection When the Internal Genes of the Vaccine Are Matched to Those of the Challenge Virus

Abstract

Seasonal influenza infection remains a major cause of disease and death, underscoring the need for improved vaccines. Among current influenza vaccines, the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is unique in its ability to elicit T-cell immunity to the conserved internal proteins of the virus. Despite this, LAIV has shown limited efficacy in recent years. One possible reason is that the conserved, internal genes of all current LAIVs derive from virus strains that were isolated between 1957 and 1960 and that, as a result, do not resemble currently circulating influenza viruses. We have therefore developed and tested a new LAIV, based on a currently circulating pandemic strain of influenza. Our results show that this new LAIV elicits improved protective immunity compared to a more conventional LAIV.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jan 31, 2020
Source ID
10.1128/jvi.01065-19

Entities

People

  • Aitor Nogales
  • Andrew N. Smith
  • Changyong Feng
  • David J Topham
  • Emma Reilly
  • Jeffrey M. Chamberlain
  • Katherine Sortino
  • Laura Rodriguez
  • Luis Martinez-Sobrido
  • Maya El Ghouayel
  • Stephen Dewhurst

Organizations

  • National Institutes of Health
  • United States Department of Defense
  • University of Rochester

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Infectious Disease/Epidemiology
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Virology (or Medical Virology).

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology