From Spanish flu to today: how immune cells keep up with a changing virus
In a breakthrough for influenza research, scientists have discovered immune cells that can recognise influenza (flu) viruses even as they mutate, raising hopes for a longer-lasting vaccine and a universal protection against future flu pandemics.
The flu virus is constantly evolving, meaning immunity from past infections or vaccinations may not fully protect against new strains. These mutations are why last year’s flu vaccine may no longer be effective, requiring annual updates to keep up with the latest variants.
But what if our immune system could recognise a broader range of flu viruses, providing longer-lasting protection?
New research suggests that certain immune cells, a subset of T cells, might hold the key.
Research led by the experts in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the Doherty Institute and Monash University has uncovered how specific T cells, which play a critical role in fighting infections, can detect multiple flu strains, even those that have evolved over a century. This process, known as cross-reactivity, could be crucial in developing more effective immunity against influenza.
In the study, published in Science Immunology, researchers analysed samples from individuals with different flu viruses and identified a subset of T cells that recognise a particular protein present in influenza A viruses, from the 1918 Spanish flu to the latest 2024 H5N1 strains.
Dr Oanh Nguyen, Senior Research Fellow in Professor Katherine Kedzierska’s Human T cell Laboratory (Dept of Microbiology & Immunology at the Doherty Institute) and co-author of the study, explained the molecular mechanisms that enable these T cells to recognise multiple influenza variants.
Image: Dr Oanh Nguyen with cryopreserved influenza-infected samples (Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity)
We tested how people’s T cells respond to a specific part of the influenza virus that changes frequently. Over the last 100 years, this region has evolved into 12 different forms.
“We found that some individuals have T cells that can recognise up to nine of these variants, while others have T cells that can only detect a couple.”
Professor Jamie Rossjohn, Immunologist at Monash University and co-senior author of the study, explained how the team uncovered the molecular details behind this immune response.
“This work reveals an untapped ability of the immune system to respond to flu viruses, even as they change over time...while our findings deepen our understanding of how T cells react to changing flu viruses, they are also highly relevant for understanding immune responses to other rapidly evolving viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.” said Professor Rossjohn.
The flu remains a major global health threat. According to the WHO, flu causes 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness and up to 650,000 respiratory deaths each year, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Professor Katherine Kedzierska, Head of the Human T cell Laboratory (Dept of Microbiology & Immunology at the Doherty Institute), said a universal vaccine, one that protects against multiple strains for longer periods, would be a game changer.
This research is hugely significant. It shows how certain T cells can recognise multiple flu strains, which is a big step towards understanding universal protective immunity – not just for the flu, but potentially for other viral diseases too.
“Harnessing these cross-reactive responses could be the key to a vaccine that offers longer-lasting protection and reduces the risk of future flu pandemics.”
This article was originally published by the Doherty Institute on 10 February 2025.
The Doherty Institute is a joint venture between The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital.