Russian scientists have created a hybrid vaccine against influenza and coronavirus

It will provide long-lasting T-cell immunity

Russian scientists have developed a nasal vaccine that will provide long-term T-cell immunity against coronavirus and influenza virus.

According to the Russian Science Foundation, under whose auspices the development was carried out, the double effect is due to the fact that the vaccine activates not only antibodies to coronavirus, but also cells of the immune system.

Previously created vaccines to fight coronavirus contain a certain section of the spike-shaped S-protein of the coronavirus, to which antibodies, the protective molecules of the body, react specifically. They bind to specific regions of the S protein in the vaccine, much like a key fits into a lock, and this interaction sends a signal to the immune system that leads to the production of new antibodies to protect itself.

However, later the researchers came to the conclusion that the S-protein as a target for antibodies is not very convenient, since it may differ from the original version in different strains of coronavirus. In addition, the concentration of antibodies after vaccination decreases over time, which can subsequently affect the level of protection.

Scientists at the Institute of Experimental Medicine drew attention to another important component of the immune system involved in the fight against coronavirus – T-lymphocytes, or T-cells. They, like antibodies, also bind to the pathogen and provide a “memory” of meeting with him, and more durable. The new combined vaccine developed at the institute is designed to ensure stable T-cell immunity. It is a hybrid of the influenza virus with sections of the internal proteins of the coronavirus, which are recognized by human T cells. Notably, these intrinsic SARS-CoV-2 proteins differ significantly less across strains than the surface S protein.

The new hybrid vaccine will have to be instilled into the nose. It has already been tested on laboratory mice, on a culture of human lymphocytes taken from people who have recovered from COVID-19, and on Syrian hamsters. It has been proven that it quickly forms T-cell immunity to both influenza and coronavirus.

Published in the newspaper “Moskovsky Komsomolets” No. 28844 dated August 11, 2022

Newspaper headline:
Scientists have created a hybrid vaccine against influenza and coronavirus