Recalling the Future: Immunological Memory Toward Unpredictable Influenza Viruses

We describe how CD8+ CTL memory is established following influenza virus infection, and how a robust CTL recall response can lead to more rapid virus elimination by destroying virus-infected cells, and recovery. Exploiting long-term, cross-reactive CTL against the continuously evolving and unpredictable influenza viruses provides a possible mechanism for preventing a disastrous pandemic comparable to the 1918-1919 H1N1 “Spanish flu”, which killed more than 50 million people worldwide.
Source: Frontiers in Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research