Low-level human memory T and B cells recognising avian influenza hemagglutinins are poorly responsive to existing seasonal influenza vaccines.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Immunisation remains the most cost-effective mechanism to combat influenza infection and is widely employed against seasonal influenza viruses. Zoonotic transmission of avian influenza A viruses represents a significant threat to human health given the lack of population-level immunity. Therefore, there is a need to better understand pre-existing cross-reactive human immunity against avian influenza strains, as highlighted by the recent global spread of avian H5Nx clade 2.3.4.4b variants.

Methods

Here, we quantified the frequencies and specificities of B and T cells recognising avian hemagglutinin (HA) within unexposed adults and characterised the ability of seasonal immunisation to boost cross-reactive immune responses to H5Nx strains, including from clade 2.3.4.

SUBMITTER: Gonelli CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12695479 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature