A new study from La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) suggests that many individuals may already possess immune cells capable of fighting the H5N1 virus, also known as bird flu. The research indicates that pre-existing immunity to common influenza viruses could provide some protection against H5N1.
New research led by scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) suggests that many people already have immune cells on 'stand by' to fight the H5N1 virus, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza. The H5N1 'bird flu' virus emerged in 2022 and has spread widely in animal populations, including poultry and cattle. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 66 confirmed H5N1 infections in U.S.
poultry and dairy workers who caught the virus through animal contact. There are no known cases of human-to-human transmission, so far. LJI scientists and vaccine experts are keeping a close eye on the emerging virus. In a new mBio study, LJI Professor Alessandro Sette, Dr.Biol.Sci., and LJI Research Assistant Professor Alba Grifoni, Ph.D., compared genetic sequences from H5N1 to genetic sequences from seasonal influenza viruses that already circulate in humans. The LJI team uncovered important similarities between H5N1 and these common viruses, which allowed them to predict that many people already have 'cross-reactive' T cells that are ready to target H5N1-;should it ever mutate to cause widespread disease in humans. 'This makes us believe that a certain number of cross-reactive T cell responses may already be in place and may help decrease disease severity,' says Sette, who also serves as Co-Director of the LJI Center for Vaccine Innovation. How the new study worked Most Americans have had the flu or received a flu shot in the past. That means their immune systems have built up some level of immunity against common influenza viruses. Sette and Grifoni investigated how well these influenza-fighting T cells might recognize and target the new H5N1 virus. The scientists used data from the LJI-led Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) to identify exactly how human T cells attack key proteins, or epitopes, on seasonal flu viruses
IMMUNE SYSTEM BIRD FLU H5N1 INFLUENZA VACCINATION
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