Heterosubtypic cross-protection correlates with cross-reactive interferon-gamma-secreting lymphocytes in the ferret model of influenza.

ABSTRACT: An effective universal vaccine for influenza will likely need to induce virus-specific T-cells, which are the major mediator of heterosubtypic cross-protection between different subtypes of influenza A virus. In this study we characterise the cell-mediated immune response in ferrets during heterosubtypic protection induced by low-dose H1N1 virus infection against an H3N2 virus challenge, given 4 weeks later. Although the ferrets were not protected against the infection by H3N2 virus, the duration of virus shedding was shortened, and clinical disease was markedly reduced. No cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies were detected, but cross-reactive interferon-gamma-secreting T cells were detected in the circulation prior to H3N2 challenge. These T-cells peaked at 11 days post-H1N1 infection,

SUBMITTER: Gooch KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6384896 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature