Review
Immunology
Jai S. Bolton, Hannah Klim, Judith Wellens, Matthew Edmans, Uri Obolski, Craig P. Thompson
Summary: The antigenic drift theory posits that influenza evolves through gradual mutations, while the competing theory of antigenic thrift suggests that immune selection targets epitopes of limited variability, constraining the virus' variability. Both theories aim to explain the dominance of a single or limited number of influenza strains each season, despite the potential for multiple strains to co-circulate based on mutation in multiple epitopes.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Yang Wang, Cynthia Y. Tang, Xiu-Feng Wan
Summary: Antigenic characterization of emerging and re-emerging viruses is crucial for vaccine development and disease prevention, but faces challenges such as high virus quantity requirements, antigenic mismatch between vaccine strains and circulating viruses.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Mi Liu, Jingze Liu, Wenjun Song, Yousong Peng, Xiao Ding, Lizong Deng, Taijiao Jiang
Summary: This study developed a model to predict antigenic relationships and identify antigenic clusters for H1N1pdm viruses, which performed well in predicting antigenic variants. Mapping the antigenic clusters revealed different patterns of antigenic evolution and localized epidemic for H1N1pdm compared to former seasonal H1N1. The model provides a rapid determination method for antigenic variants and further analysis can aid vaccine recommendations and influenza surveillance for H1N1pdm.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nino Rcheulishvili, Jiawei Mao, Dimitri Papukashvili, Cong Liu, Ziqian Wang, Jiao Zhao, Fengfei Xie, Xuehua Pan, Yang Ji, Yunjiao He, Peng George Wang
Summary: Despite advances in prevention, treatment, and immunization, the influenza virus remains a global threat due to its unpredictable pandemics and evolving nature. Seasonal vaccine mismatches decrease efficacy and increase outbreak risks. Development of a universal vaccine covering all influenza A and B strains would reduce the pervasiveness of the virus. This study designed a potentially universal multi-epitope vaccine based on conserved T cell and B cell epitopes, and demonstrated its immunogenicity and stability through immune simulation and molecular docking experiments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Tor Kristian Andersen, Johanna Bodin, Fredrik Oftung, Bjarne Bogen, Siri Mjaaland, Gunnveig Grodeland
Summary: The 2009 swine flu pandemic exposed the limitations of egg-based vaccines in terms of global supply, prompting the urgent need for efficient new vaccine platforms; DNA vaccines have since been developed as a temperature stable, cost-effective option for pandemic responses, capable of inducing rapid protective immune responses without the need for adjuvants.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Virology
Jiali Li, Yifan Zhang, Xinglong Zhang, Longding Liu
Summary: China has a high number of influenza cases and deaths, and the effectiveness of the flu vaccine is reduced due to viral antigenic drift. Therefore, the development of a universal influenza vaccine is necessary.
Review
Immunology
Christopher L. D. McMillan, Paul R. Young, Daniel Watterson, Keith J. Chappell
Summary: Current influenza virus vaccines mainly induce antibodies against the highly variable head domain of the hemagglutinin protein, but these antibodies are often strain-specific, resulting in limited cross-protection. Therefore, the annual update of vaccine formulations to counteract the challenge of influenza virus evolution is crucial.
Article
Virology
Amanda L. Skarlupka, Anne-Gaelle Bebin-Blackwell, Spencer F. Sumner, Ted M. Ross
Summary: The N1-I COBRA NA vaccine antigen showed cross-reactivity with various influenza viruses, providing protection and lower lung viral titers in mice challenged with different viral strains. This research suggests that the NA antigen has the potential to enhance the breadth of protection in a universal influenza vaccine formulation.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Virology
Wen-Chien Wang, Ekramy E. Sayedahmed, Suryaprakash Sambhara, Suresh K. Mittal
Summary: Influenza viruses are a major cause of millions of cases globally and pose a significant threat to public health. Current seasonal influenza vaccines provide limited protection and are less effective against mismatched strains. The development of a universal influenza vaccine targeting conserved antigen domains is underway to provide broader protection.
Article
Immunology
Mark W. Tenforde, Manish M. Patel, Nathaniel M. Lewis, Katherine Adams, Manjusha Gaglani, Jay S. Steingrub, Nathan Shapiro, Abhijit Duggal, Matthew E. Prekker, Ithan D. Peltan, David N. Hager, Michelle N. Gong, Matthew C. Exline, Adit A. Ginde, Nicholas M. Mohr, Christopher Mallow, Emily T. Martin, H. Keipp Talbot, Kevin W. Gibbs, Jennie H. Kwon, James D. Chappell, Natasha Halasa, Adam S. Lauring, Christopher J. Lindsell, Sydney A. Swan, Kimberly W. Hart, Kelsey N. Womack, Adrienne Baughman, Carlos G. Grijalva, Wesley H. Self
Summary: During the 2021-2022 US influenza season, circulating A(H3N2) viruses were antigenically different from the vaccine. The vaccine effectiveness against hospitalized illness was 26% (95% CI: -14-52%) for adults 18-64 years old and -3% (95% CI: -54-31%) for adults ≥ 65 years old. Our study showed that the influenza vaccine had some effectiveness in preventing hospitalization among immunocompetent adults aged 18-64, but provided no significant protection for adults ≥ 65.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Yo Han Jang, Baik L. Seong
Summary: Influenza virus infection poses a major public health challenge, with current vaccines potentially compromised by viral antigenic changes. Efforts are underway to develop a universal influenza vaccine that provides long-lasting and broad protection. Immune responses induced by live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs), including neutralizing antibodies, T cell responses, and mucosal immunity, show promising potential for serving as attractive platforms for a universal influenza vaccine.
Review
Virology
Quyen-Thi Nguyen, Young-Ki Choi
Summary: Traditional influenza vaccines are strain-specific and require annual reformulation, whereas a universal influenza vaccine is critical for long-term protection and potential pandemics. Different target antigens for UIVs have advantages and limitations in generating immune responses against divergent influenza viruses.
Article
Immunology
Mark W. Tenforde, Rebecca J. Garten Kondor, Jessie R. Chung, Richard K. Zimmerman, Mary Patricia Nowalk, Michael L. Jackson, Lisa A. Jackson, Arnold S. Monto, Emily T. Martin, Edward A. Belongia, Huong Q. McLean, Manjusha Gaglani, Arundhati Rao, Sara S. Kim, Thomas J. Stark, John R. Barnes, David E. Wentworth, Manish M. Patel, Brendan Flannery
Summary: This study investigated the vaccine effectiveness against emerging influenza viruses during the 2019-2020 season in the United States. The results showed that the vaccine provided good protection against B/Victoria viruses, but lower effectiveness against A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses, mainly due to vaccine mismatch caused by antigenic drift. The study observed the impact of antigenic drift on vaccine protection, with significant protection still observed even in drifted years.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Longbo Hu, Geqi Lao, Rui Liu, Jin Feng, Fei Long, Tao Peng
Summary: Influenza virus is a significant health risk, causing flu and infecting millions of people worldwide. Seasonal vaccines often have low and unpredictable effectiveness due to virus variation and preexisting immunity. Developing a universal influenza vaccine requires innovative strategies and platforms to generate cross-protective immunity. This review discusses candidate vaccines that meet two criteria: providing protection against multiple viruses and passing regulatory evaluations. Different vaccine-production platforms, antigen selection, design, adjuvants, immunomodulators, and vaccine delivery routes in universal influenza vaccine development are discussed.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Brianna L. Bullard, Eric A. Weaver
Summary: The significant viral diversity of influenza virus presents challenges for vaccine development, but novel antigen design strategies targeting the HA protein can improve cross-reactive immunity for the development of a universal influenza vaccine.
Review
Cell Biology
Marios Koutsakos, Wen Shi Lee, Adam K. Wheatley, Stephen J. Kent, Jennifer A. Juno
Summary: Vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the impact of COVID-19. Analysis has shown that cT(FH) cells are key in the neutralizing antibody response, and further research on this will be crucial for developing efficacious vaccines targeting new variants of SARS-CoV-2.
JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Chansavath Phetsouphanh, David Darley, Daniel B. Wilson, Annett Howe, C. Mee Ling Munier, Sheila K. Patel, Jennifer A. Juno, Louise M. Burrell, Stephen J. Kent, Gregory J. Dore, Anthony D. Kelleher, Gail Matthews
Summary: Phetsouphanh and colleagues found that individuals with long COVID exhibit persistent activation of the immune system even 8 months after infection. They also identified a set of analytes associated with long COVID, suggesting potential opportunities for prevention and treatment.
Article
Cell Biology
Anouk von Borstel, Thi H. O. Nguyen, Louise C. Rowntree, Thomas M. Ashhurst, Lilith F. Allen, Lauren J. Howson, Natasha E. Holmes, Olivia C. Smibert, Jason A. Trubiano, Claire L. Gordon, Allen C. Cheng, Stephen J. Kent, Jamie Rossjohn, Katherine Kedzierska, Martin S. Davey
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause severe COVID-19 in some individuals. The immune system, particularly effector gamma delta T cells, plays a role in the defense against SARS-CoV-2. Our study shows an association between effector populations of gamma delta T cells and acute COVID-19 in unvaccinated individuals.
IMMUNOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Alice R. Burton, Stephane M. Guillaume, William S. Foster, Adam K. Wheatley, Danika L. Hill, Edward J. Carr, Michelle A. Linterman
Summary: This study reveals defects in the human germinal center reaction and memory B cell response following influenza vaccination in elderly individuals.
Correction
Immunology
Bruce D. Wines, Liriye Kurtovic, Halina M. Trist, Sandra Esparon, Ester Lopez, Klasina Chappin, Li-Jin Chan, Francesca L. Mordant, Wen Shi Lee, Nicholas A. Gherardin, Sheila K. Patel, Gemma E. Hartley, Phillip Pymm, James P. Cooney, James G. Beeson, Dale I. Godfrey, Louise M. Burrell, Menno C. van Zelm, Adam K. Wheatley, Amy W. W. Chung, Wai-Hong Tham, Kanta Subbarao, Stephen J. Kent, P. Mark Hogarth
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Kirsty R. Field, Kathleen M. Wragg, Wen Shi Lee, Marc Rigau, Adam P. Uldrich, Stephen J. Kent, Jennifer A. Juno
Summary: V?9Vd2 T cells can recognize various molecules associated with cellular stress or transformation, providing a unique avenue for the treatment of cancers or infectious diseases. Enhancing the cytotoxic effector function of V?9Vd2 T cells is one potential avenue through which the immunotherapeutic potential of this subset may be improved.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David S. Khoury, Steffen S. Docken, Kanta Subbarao, Stephen J. Kent, Miles P. Davenport, Deborah Cromer
Summary: Booster vaccination is necessary to combat waning immunity and variants of SARS-CoV-2. Data on neutralization titers from multiple sources suggest that using ancestral vaccines can enhance protection against symptomatic and severe disease caused by variant viruses. Variant-modified vaccines may provide additional benefits. This study provides evidence-based guidance for future COVID-19 vaccine regimens.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Deborah Cromer, Megan Steain, Arnold Reynaldi, Timothy E. Schlub, Shanchita R. Khan, Sarah C. Sasson, Stephen J. Kent, David S. Khoury, Miles P. Davenport
Summary: The study demonstrates a strong correlation between neutralising antibody titres and vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic and severe COVID-19. Predicted neutralising antibody titres are strongly correlated with observed vaccine effectiveness, and the loss of neutralising antibodies over time and to new variants is predictive of observed vaccine protection against severe COVID-19.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mai N. Vu, Emily H. Pilkington, Wen Shi Lee, Hyon-Xhi Tan, Thomas P. Davis, Nghia P. Truong, Stephen J. Kent, Adam K. Wheatley
Summary: Using monoclonal antibodies to target vaccine antigens to specific immune cells within lymph nodes can enhance immune responses. The authors developed a system using self-assembling ferritin nanoparticles to attach antibodies to the nanoparticles, allowing for rapid screening of different targeting antibodies. By targeting Clec9a, the authors observed higher antibody titers and increased germinal center formation, leading to robust antibody responses. However, the effectiveness of immune cell targeting depends on the antigen, with variation observed for different immunogens.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Georgia Deliyannis, Nicholas A. Gherardin, Chinn Yi Wong, Samantha L. Grimley, James P. Cooney, Samuel J. Redmond, Paula Ellenberg, Kathryn C. Davidson, Francesca L. Mordant, Tim Smith, Marianne Gillard, Ester Lopez, Julie McAuley, Chee Wah Tan, Jing J. Wang, Weiguang Zeng, Mason Littlejohn, Runhong Zhou, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Zhi-wei Chen, Airn E. Hartwig, Richard Bowen, Jason M. Mackenzie, Elizabeth Vincan, Joseph Torresi, Katherine Kedzierska, Colin W. Pouton, Tom P. Gordon, Lin-fa Wang, Stephen J. Kent, Adam K. Wheatley, Sharon R. Lewin, Kanta Subbarao, Amy W. Chung, Marc Pellegrini, Trent Munro, Terry Nolan, Steven Rockman, David C. Jackson, Damian F. J. Purcell, Dale I. Godfrey
Summary: Researchers have developed a protein subunit vaccine to address the variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The vaccine induces strong neutralizing antibody responses and provides durable immunity against upper and lower airway infections. It has the potential to complement existing vaccines and is currently in a phase I clinical trial.
Article
Immunology
Julio Carrera, Turgut E. Aktepe, Linda Earnest, Dale Christiansen, Adam K. Wheatley, Hyon-Xhi Tan, Amy W. Chung, Simon Collett, Kirsty McPherson, Joseph Torresi, Jason M. Mackenzie, Cameron P. Simmons
Summary: In this study, a ZIKV virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccine candidate was developed and its immunogenicity was evaluated in mice. The unadjuvanted ZIKV-VLPs or inactivated ZIKV generated a lasting immune response, but did not neutralize ZIKV infection in vitro. However, when co-administered with Aluminium hydroxide, the ZIKV VLPs not only produced neutralizing antibodies, but also generated more antigen-specific memory B cells, making it a suitable single dose vaccine candidate for outbreak settings.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eva Stadler, Martin T. Burgess, Timothy E. Schlub, Shanchita R. Khan, Khai Li Chai, Zoe K. McQuilten, Erica M. Wood, Mark N. Polizzotto, Stephen J. Kent, Deborah Cromer, Miles P. Davenport, David S. Khoury
Summary: Multiple monoclonal antibodies have been effective for both prophylaxis and therapy for SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aggregates data from randomized controlled trials to model the dose-response relationship of monoclonal antibodies for prophylaxis. The estimated 50% protection from COVID-19 is achieved with a concentration of 96-fold of the in vitro IC50.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
David S. Khoury, Timothy E. Schlub, Deborah Cromer, Megan Steain, Youyi Fong, Peter B. Gilbert, Kanta Subbarao, James A. Triccas, Stephen J. Kent, Miles P. Davenport
Summary: Multiple studies have demonstrated a correlation between neutralizing antibody levels and protection from COVID-19, estimating the relationship between the two. However, estimates of the required level of neutralizing antibodies for protection vary across these studies. By normalizing antibody titers, it has been found that there is a consistent relationship between antibody levels and protection from COVID-19. This finding is crucial for future vaccine planning, assessing population immunity, and mitigating the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ebene R. Haycroft, Timon Damelang, Ester Lopez, Mark A. Rodgers, Bruce D. Wines, Mark Hogarth, Cassaundra L. Ameel, Stephen J. Kent, Charles A. Scanga, Shelby L. O'Connor, Amy W. Chung
Summary: This study used a macaque model of tuberculosis and HIV co-infection to investigate the humoral responses. They found that antibody responses to tuberculosis were impaired during HIV co-infection. The study suggests that humoral immunity and antibody glycosylation may play a role in the control and progression of tuberculosis.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
