Headline: New Study Reveals Genetics Key to Variable Flu Vaccine Responses; Novel Vaccine Platform Promising
Article:
Each year, influenza claims hundreds of thousands of lives and results in millions of hospitalizations worldwide, highlighting its global health burden. Yet, a significant number of vaccinated individuals show stronger immune responses to one strain and are thus more susceptible to others. This phenomenon, known as "original antigenic sin" (OAS), may potentially limit vaccine efficiency.
Now, new research published in the journal Cell suggests that the genetic makeup of an individual may play a more crucial role in variable responses to the seasonal flu vaccine than previous exposures to the virus.
Genetics Trump Previous Exposures
Led by Vamsee Mallajosyula, researchers at the University of contains. interrupt="INT") in collaboration with international colleagues, analyzed antibody responses in identical twins, vaccinated infants, and mouse models. They discovered that the predisposition to flu subtypes is primarily governed by the host’s genetic predisposition, particularly polymorphisms in the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC), with prior exposure playing a secondary role.
"We found that the genetic predispositions of individuals explain most of the variability in antibody responses to different flu strains, while prior viral exposure has a more minor effect," Mallajosyula explained.
A Promising New Vaccine Platform
Following this discovery, Mallajosyula and his team developed a novel method to concatenate viral antigens from different strains onto a scaffold. This approach enhanced the activation of CD4+ T cells and broadened the antibody response.
Experiments on mice and human tonsil organoids demonstrated increased antibody production across all strains, highlighting the platform’s potential to boost vaccine efficacy, including responses to avian flu strains.
With this groundbreaking research, scientists are one step closer to creating more effective,universal flu vaccines that could significantly mitigate the disease’s global impact.
