A new kind of vaccine could stimulate the human immune system to combat flu, British researchers have revealed.
Without the aid of vaccines, as many as 43% of people in England have immune cells that protect them from the symptoms of flu, researchers report.
The research has homed in on T cells in the immune system, finding they can target a core part of the flu virus.
The finding is significant as current flu vaccines have to be constantly changed as they target a fast evolving part of the virus.
But, according to the research, human T cells target the nucleoprotein, which is a very similar structure in all kinds of influenza A, including swine flu.
The findings have been reported in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. It has involved Oxford University, Public Health England and University College London.
Researcher Professor Andrew Hayward, of University College, London, said: “Although a vaccine to boost flu-killing T cell responses would not prevent individuals from becoming infected in the first place, it would help to stop those who were infected getting ill and spreading the virus through coughs and sneezes.”
Hayward et al. Natural T cell mediated protection against seasonal and pandemic influenza. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 15 June 2015
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