Clues could lead to a universal flu jab

A study which has found a way to develop a universal vaccine for influenza, one that gives people immunity against all strains of the disease, has been recognised by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and gained its lead researcher a prestigious award. Dr Tom Wilkinson, Senior Lecturer in Respiratory Medicine and Associate Director of Innovation and Enterprise at the University of Southampton, was awarded the Maurizio Vignola Award for Innovation in Pneumology by the ERS, following the publication of his paper in Nature Medicine.

The research, which involved teams from the University of Southampton, University of Oxford and Retroscreen Virology Ltd, used a method called “Human Viral Challenge Studies” and discovered that the immune systems produced various types of T-cells (part of the immune system that kills both viral particles, and cells infected with viral particles). Notably, the T-cells responded to peptides associated with the internal structures of the influenza viruses.

Unlike the external structures of influenza virus, that mutates very rapidly and creates a new strain of virus most years, the internal structures change very slowly over a long period of time. These internal structures are found in all strains of influenza virus – thus, a vaccine that targets such peptides may provide immunity against all strains of influenza, including seasonal (yearly), avian (bird), and swine flu, for many years.

A vaccine against these peptides would activate the T-cell immune response – which is able to respond much more rapidly than vaccines that activate an antibody response.

Dr Wilkinson, who is also Respiratory Consultant at Southampton General Hospital, received €18,000 in order to investigate the subject further.