NS1-truncated live attenuated virus vaccine provides robust protection to aged mice from viral challenge

J Virol. 2012 Oct;86(19):10293-301. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01131-12. Epub 2012 Jul 11.

Abstract

Immunological changes associated with age contribute to the high rates of influenza virus morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Compounding this problem, aged individuals do not respond to vaccination as well as younger, healthy adults. Efforts to increase protection to this demographic group are of utmost importance, as the proportion of the population above the age of 65 is projected to increase in the coming decade. Using a live influenza virus with a truncated nonstructural protein 1 (NS1), we are able to stimulate cellular and humoral immune responses of aged mice comparable to levels seen in young mice. Impressively, a single vaccination provided protection following stringent lethal challenge in aged mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Body Weight
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dogs
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Influenza Vaccines / immunology
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccines, Attenuated / immunology
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • INS1 protein, influenza virus
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Attenuated
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins