Human Antibodies Influenza Vaccine

An influenza vaccine under development involves human flu-fighting antibodies and is effective against several kinds of flu, including the avian flu virus. The vaccine is being developed at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LIAI, San Diego, CA, USA).

The concept behind the H5N1 avian flu virus vaccine focuses on M2, a protein common to all influenza A viruses, including avian flu strains. Portions of the M2 protein were used to immunize genetically engineered transchromosomic mice, obtaining influenza M2-specific human antibodies.

In vitro testing showed that the anti-M2 antibodies bound to several different influenza strains, including the avian flu virus H5N1, implying that if used in vivo, the infected cells would be recognized by the antibody and destroyed by the immune system. The study also found that a relatively low dose of the antibodies was needed to fight various flu strains.

The research is a collaborative effort of LIAI and Gemini Science (San Diego, CA, USA). The findings were presented at the annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) in Washington (DC, USA) in December 2005.

Gemini Science is now initiating pre-clinical studies required for the commencement of human clinical testing of the anti-M2 antibody, and is currently in discussions with the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) about establishing a cooperative research and development agreement.


"Our researchers are working diligently to understand the cellular mechanisms that hold the key to preventing or treating influenza,” said Mitchell Kronenberg, LIAI President and Scientific Director. "We are particularly excited that our research shows promise against the avian flu, as that may be the most urgent health issue now facing the world.”



Related Links:
La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LIAI)
Gemini Science