Lymphocyte T CD8+ cells of the immune system eliminates the virus-infected cells and retains memories of virus strains they encounter.
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“This is the first time we’ve shown that those killer T-cells are important in protecting against very serious disease very early on in the infection,” said, Kedzierska.
In collaboration with Shanghai Public Health Center and Fudan University in China, the research was based on observations that some patients who contracted the H7N9 bird flu in 2013 were able to recover more quickly than others.
After taking samples, the researchers noted that the patients who managed to recover seemed to have a prior immunity thanks to T-cells, while those who lacked these cells suffered severely or died.
Scientists are now investigating a vaccination that offers lifelong protection against the infectious disease, which affects humans, birds and other animals like pigs.
“We can provide universal immunity that will recognize a vast array of influenza strains and subtypes including new influenza viruses emerging and infecting humans,” Kedzierska explained.
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Source-Medindia