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Updated: May 11, 2026
Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection
Published on: September 7, 2017
[Prior infected influenza virus could protect mice from challenge of lethal influenza virus]
1Chinese National Influenza Center, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Influenza, 155 Changbai Road, Bejing 102206, China.
Objective:
To determine whether it could protect mice from challenge of lethal influenza virus which group prior infected A(H1N1) pdm09 and H9N2 virus respectively.
Methods:
150 BALB/c mice are divided into three groups. Mice are infected A(H1N1) pdm09 virus (pCA07) and poultry H9N2 virus (GZ333) respectively. Infected mice are challenged with 10 times of lethal dose virus (PR8) then compare the viral load, antibody and survival of the two group mice before and after challenged.
Results:
Both experimental group mice survived after challenge of lethal influenza virus and lung viral load are lower than that of the first infection. Antibodies derived from the infective virus and challenge virus.
Conclusion:
Prior infected A(H1N1) pdm09 and H9N2 virus could protect mice from challenge of lethal influenza virus.
Insights
Prior infection with influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 or H9N2 viruses protected mice against a lethal influenza challenge. This cross-protection reduced viral load and improved survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Influenza viruses pose a significant global health threat.
- Understanding cross-protective immunity is crucial for developing effective vaccines and treatments.
- Previous infections can sometimes confer protection against related but distinct viral strains.
Purpose:
- To investigate the cross-protective effects of prior infection with A(H1N1) pdm09 and H9N2 influenza viruses.
- To assess the impact of these prior infections on survival, viral load, and antibody responses following a lethal influenza challenge.
Summary:
- BALB/c mice were infected with either A(H1N1) pdm09 or H9N2 influenza viruses.
- Subsequently, mice were challenged with a lethal dose of a different influenza virus (PR8).
- Mice with prior infections exhibited enhanced survival, reduced lung viral loads, and developed antibodies against both the initial and challenge viruses.
Impact:
- Demonstrates that prior exposure to specific influenza strains can induce cross-protection against lethal influenza virus challenges.
- Highlights the potential for leveraging natural infection-induced immunity to inform influenza vaccine strategies.
- Provides evidence for the development of broad-spectrum influenza immunity through sequential infections.
