Preparation of isolated hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, matrix and nucleoprotein subunits of influenza viruses and assay of their immunogenicity.

摘要

Studies were done using new approaches to influenza virus vaccines, namely, the preparation of synthetic peptides based on the amino acid sequence and the three dimensional structure of the hemagglutinin molecule. Two different types of peptides were synthesized;one to a common region - the fusion peptide - and one specific for H3 influenza HA - the loop peptide. Each peptide induced antibodies that reacted with the virus but failed to induce protective immunity. Studies with avian influenza viruses used as gene donors for the development of live attenuated vaccines revealed that these viruses induced long lasting memory for T-cell mediated immunity.