IMPORTANCE OF CYTOTOXIC T LYMPHOCYTES IN INFLUENZA VACCINE RESEARCH

Influenza virus causes considerable mortality and morbidity all over the world. The antibody developed against the virus as a result of natural infection or immunization does not protect the host fully from the epidemic/pandemic caused by a virus with a change in antigenic character. This is because antibodies are directed towards surface antigens of influenza virus viz. haemagglutinin and neuraminidase which undergo antigenic change during their circulation in nature. The virus also contains internal antigens viz. matrix protein and nucleoprotein, which are group-specific antigens. The search was made at the mechanism of immune response against influenza virus towards group specific antigens which would be cross-protective. The role of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the cross protective immunity has been studied during the last 10 years. These studies have obvious implications for future vaccine design.