Jianhui Li

Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, China
Author    Correspondence author
Journal of Vaccine Research, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 2   
Received: 01 Mar., 2024    Accepted: 02 Apr., 2024    Published: 15 Apr., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccines varies with changes in virus strains, posing challenges for controlling influenza outbreaks. In recent years, the development of a universal influenza vaccine (UIV) capable of providing broad protection has become a focal point in influenza research. This study explores the potential mechanisms by which a universal influenza vaccine can achieve broad protection, including targeting conserved antigens, inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs), activating T-cell responses, and innate immune responses. By reviewing existing literature and clinical trial data, the study analyzes the key mechanisms in the development of universal influenza vaccines, such as targeting the hemagglutinin (HA) stem domain, neuraminidase, and M2 protein, as well as the role of broadly neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses. The research indicates that vaccine strategies targeting conserved antigens and broadly neutralizing antibodies show significant broad protective effects in animal models. Additionally, T-cell-mediated immune responses also play a crucial role in preventing influenza infection. The successful development of a universal influenza vaccine would eliminate the dependency on strain-specific vaccines, provide long-term and effective protection against multiple influenza strains, significantly reduce influenza morbidity and mortality, alleviate the burden on healthcare systems, and have a profound impact on global public health security.

Universal influenza vaccine; Broadly neutralizing antibodies; T-cell response; Conserved antigens; Broad protection mechanisms