Sometimes an old fight needs a new hero. With the United States in the midst of a tough flu season-and with evidence that the current flu shot is only 10 percent effective against the strains responsible for most illnesses - a new approach to flu vaccine development may do the trick. Traditional vaccines stimulate antibodies to block viruses. For influenza viruses, this strategy can fall short: Influenza antibodies are specific to one strain, which may not be among those causing illness in an outbreak. Now, UCLA virologist Ren Sun and colleagues have developed a vaccine that could ensure flu viruses can't escape the body's first line of defense, an antiviral system that enlists a cadre of immune proteins and cells.
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