The flu is a virus that affects millions of people every year. It spreads through the air and can lead to serious illness, especially in older adults and young children.
One of the biggest challenges in fighting the flu is that the virus changes quickly, which means vaccines must be updated often.
Now, a team of researchers from Georgia State University has developed a new type of vaccine that may work against many different flu viruses at once. Their findings were published in the journal ACS Nano and offer a fresh way of thinking about how vaccines can be designed.
The flu virus has a key protein on its surface called hemagglutinin, or HA. This protein helps the virus enter human cells. It has two parts: a top part called the head and a lower part called the stalk. The head changes very easily, which allows the virus to escape the immune system. The stalk, however, remains more stable across different flu strains.
Traditional vaccines mainly focus on the head of the protein. This is one reason why they need to be updated every year. The new vaccine takes a smarter approach by focusing on the stalk instead.
To do this, scientists used tiny particles called extracellular vesicles. These are naturally produced by cells and are already part of normal body processes. They used these particles as a delivery system for the vaccine.
The researchers attached the HA protein to these particles in a reversed or “inverted” way. This design hides the changing head and shows the stable stalk to the immune system. By doing this, the body learns to recognize a part of the virus that does not change much.
The vaccine was tested in mice to see how well it worked. The results showed that the vaccine triggered strong immune responses. The mice produced antibodies that could recognize different types of flu viruses. They also developed strong cellular responses, which help the body fight infections more effectively.
Most importantly, the vaccinated mice were completely protected when exposed to dangerous flu strains such as H7N9 and H5N1. These strains can cause severe disease and are a concern for global health.
Another key feature of this vaccine is how it is given. It is delivered through the nose rather than by injection. This method helps protect the areas where the virus first enters the body, such as the nose and lungs. This type of protection is known as mucosal immunity.
At present, only one nasal flu vaccine is available, and better options are needed. This new approach could lead to improved vaccines that are easier to use and more effective.
The researchers believe that combining multiple types of HA proteins on the same particle can further increase protection. This could lead to the development of a universal flu vaccine that works against many strains and lasts longer.
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Source: Georgia State University.
