New research led by scientists at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology on the H5N1 virus, also called bird flu, suggests that many people already have immune cells “on standby” to fight the highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The study found similarities in the genetic sequences between bird flu and seasonal influenza viruses that already circulate in humans.
The research, co-authored by LJI professor Alessandro Sette and research assistant professor Alba Grifoni, predicted that many people already have “cross-reactive” T cells that are ready to target bird flu.
Most Americans have had the flu or received a flu shot in their lives, which means their immune systems have built up some level of immunity against common flu viruses. Sette and Grifoni studied how well these influenza-fighting T cells would recognize and target the new bird flu virus.
The scientists used data from the LJI-led Immune Epitope Database to identify how human T-cells attack key proteins, or epitopes, on seasonal flu viruses, and developed an approach to figure out if the bird flu virus has the same vulnerable epitopes.
The researchers found that many epitopes are shared between bird flu and seasonal influenza viruses, which means many people may already have T cells equipped to battle bird flu infections.
“We can predict that — in the majority of cases — our T cells have memory responses and can provide pre-existing immunity to H5N1,” Grifoni said in an LJI press release. “That’s good news.”
The researchers cannot say for sure whether these T cell responses can lessen disease severity. However, they say there is reason to believe cross-reactive T cells may be good fighters.
In previous studies, LJI scientists showed that cross-reactive T cells can lessen the severity of COVID-19 and even mpox.
Going forward, the researchers said they are interested in studying the strength of these T cell responses. They said they are also prepared to analyze immune cells from human samples if bird flu begins to spread between people.
“We need to continue to monitor the situation, and if an outbreak were to occur, we’re ready to examine immune responses in more detail,” Sette said in a press release.
Since 2022, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 67 human cases of bird flu in United States poultry and dairy workers who caught the virus through animal contact. There are currently no known cases of human-to-human transmission.
The recent spread of bird flu to cattle herds in Southern California prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency on Dec. 18, 2024.
NEW: Following the spread of Bird Flu in 16 states, including in California & outside the Central Valley, @CAGovernor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency to further enhance the state’s preparedness & accelerate the ongoing cross-agency response efforts t.co/yNBPgy1PCE
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) December 18, 2024Less than three weeks later, on Monday, the CDC announced the first fatal human case of bird flu in Louisiana. Health officials said the death was “not unexpected.”
Health officials have also reported increased cases in feline species, including a deadly outbreak among big cats at a wildlife sanctuary.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( New Research Suggests People Have ‘Standby’ Cells Ready to Fight Bird Flu )
Also on site :