Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026
10:39
Intranasal Administration of Recombinant Influenza Vaccines in Chimeric Mouse Models to Study Mucosal Immunity
Published on: June 25, 2015
13.3K
A Novel R848-Conjugated Inactivated Influenza Virus Vaccine Is Efficacious and Safe in a Neonate Nonhuman Primate
Beth C Holbrook1, Jong R Kim1, Lance K Blevins1
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101;
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|June 10, 2016
Summary
A new conjugate influenza vaccine using R848 shows promise for neonates, inducing strong immune responses and improving virus clearance. This approach offers a potential solution for vaccinating this vulnerable population against influenza.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Virology
Background:
- Neonatal influenza virus infection is a significant health concern, leading to severe illness and hospitalization.
- Current influenza vaccines are not suitable for neonates, highlighting an urgent need for effective vaccination strategies.
- Developing safe and effective vaccines for this population is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a novel Toll-like receptor 7/8 (TLR 7/8) agonist R848-conjugated influenza virus vaccine in a nonhuman primate neonate model.
- To assess the immunogenicity and protective potential of intact virus conjugates for eliciting broad immune responses.
- To investigate the impact of combining TLR agonists on vaccine efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an innovative nonhuman primate neonate challenge model to assess vaccine efficacy.
- Developed a novel conjugate influenza vaccine by linking R848 to an intact influenza virus, providing multiple antigenic targets.
- Administered the vaccine and subsequently challenged neonates with influenza virus to evaluate immune responses and protection.
Main Results:
- The R848-conjugated influenza vaccine induced robust virus-specific antibody and cell-mediated immune responses in neonates.
- Vaccinated neonates demonstrated enhanced virus clearance and reduced lung pathology compared to those receiving a nonadjuvanted vaccine.
- Co-administration of a second TLR agonist, flagellin, did not improve vaccine-induced protection, suggesting empirical determination of optimal TLR combinations.
Conclusions:
- The novel R848-conjugated influenza vaccine is a promising candidate for protecting neonates against influenza virus infection.
- The intact virus conjugate approach elicits broad immune responses, offering a potential platform for neonatal vaccination.
- Further research is warranted to optimize TLR agonist combinations for enhanced efficacy in neonatal vaccines.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
01:25Inhibitors Of Virion Release
Viral replication and dissemination rely on efficient mechanisms for host cell entry, genome replication, assembly, and release. Influenza viruses, such as types A and B, are negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a segmented genome, that depend on two critical surface glycoproteins to carry out these processes: hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). HA initiates infection by binding to sialic acid residues on the surface of host epithelial cells, facilitating receptor-mediated...