Novel vaccines against influenza viruses

Virus Res. 2011 Dec;162(1-2):31-8. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2011.09.037. Epub 2011 Oct 1.

Abstract

Killed and live attenuated influenza virus vaccines are effective in preventing and curbing the spread of influenza epidemics when the strains present in the vaccines are closely matched with the predicted epidemic strains. These vaccines are primarily targeted to induce immunity to the variable major target antigen, hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza virus. However, current vaccines are not effective in preventing the emergence of new pandemic or highly virulent viruses. New approaches are being investigated to develop universal influenza virus vaccines as well as to apply more effective vaccine delivery methods. Conserved vaccine targets including the influenza M2 ion channel protein and HA stalk domains are being developed using recombinant technologies to improve the level of cross protection. In addition, recent studies provide evidence that vaccine supplements can provide avenues to further improve current vaccies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology*
  • Conserved Sequence / immunology
  • Cross Protection / immunology
  • Cross Reactions / immunology
  • Drug Administration Routes
  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / genetics
  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Influenza Vaccines / biosynthesis
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / immunology
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control*
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Mice
  • Orthomyxoviridae / immunology*
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • United States
  • Vaccination*
  • Vaccines, Attenuated / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Attenuated / biosynthesis
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / biosynthesis
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / genetics
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • M2 protein, Influenza A virus
  • Vaccines, Attenuated
  • Vaccines, Synthetic
  • Viral Matrix Proteins