Potential for Cross-Reactive Protection Using Peptides and Adjuvants or Carrier Molecules

We have demonstrated that a conserved portion of the HA2 subunit on the influenza virus hemagglutinin can induce a cytotoxic T lymphocyte response. This is a major development since it raises the possibility that this type of peptide could be used to provide protection that would be cross-reactive among influenza virus strains. The peptide we used was produced in E. coli using recombinant DNA techniques for the expression of segments of influenza viral genome. The molecule which stimulates this H-2 restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte response is a fusion protein of the HA2 subunit of H1 virus (A/PR/8/34 H1N1), and the induced lymphocytes kill target cells infected with strains of influenza A virus possessing the H1 hemagglutinin irregardless of the years isolated (e.g. 1934, 1978), the results indicate that the HA2 subunit is a candidate for cross- reactive protection because there are substantial published data indicating that influenza virus induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Tc) are protective in challenged recipients. Originator supplied keywords include: Lymphokines; and Epitopes.