Latest study in mice paves way for developing universal flu vaccine
PTI, Nov 25, 2022, 1:52 PM IST
Representational Image
Washington: Scientists have developed an mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine containing antigens from all twenty known subtypes of influenza A and B viruses, a strategy which may serve as the basis for universal flu vaccines, according to a study.
The vaccine, developed by researchers from the US and Canada, produced high levels of cross-reactive and subtype-specific antibodies in mice and ferrets and could protect animals against disease symptoms and death after infection with both antigenically matched and mismatched strains of influenza, the study said.
According to the study, even with increased global surveillance, it is difficult to predict which flu strain will cause the next flu pandemic, making a universal vaccine important.
The approach by the scientists differed from previous attempts to craft a universal flu vaccine by including antigens specific to each subtype, rather than just a smaller set of antigens shared among subtypes, the study published in the journal Science said.
Following the success of mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the researchers prepared 20 different nanoparticles encapsulated mRNAs, each encoding a different hemagglutinin antigen – a highly immunogenic flu protein that helps the virus enter cells, the study said.
Antibody levels remained mostly stable four months after vaccination in the mice, the study said.
Multivalent protein vaccines produced using more traditional methods elicited fewer antibodies and were less protective compared to the multivalent mRNA vaccine in the animals, said the study.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Risk of abnormal blood fat levels increased by about 30 pc during pandemic, finds study
Attention problems could be ‘middleman’ between genetic risk for, experiencing psychosis: Study
Meeting WHO’s sodium recommendations could avert deaths from heart, kidney disease: Study
Meeting WHO’s sodium recommendations could avert deaths from heart, kidney disease: Study
Study finds loss of smell linked with inflammation in 140 conditions, could be early sign of disease
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Bantwal: Theft at Shree Mahalingeshwar temple
Delhi riots case: HC dismisses plea by Khalid Saifi against attempt to murder charge
States not empowered to take over all private properties for distribution to serve common good: SC
Chhattisgarh NAN ‘scam’: FIR against 2 retired IAS officers, former AG
India, Australia strategic partnership growing steadily: EAM Jaishankar
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.