BioCentury
ARTICLE | Translation in Brief

Interferon non-interference

How inactivating viral immune evasion functions can boost vaccine immunogenicity

February 28, 2018 11:23 PM UTC

Researchers from UCLA have developed a method to enhance the immunogenicity of live virus-based vaccines by inactivating the virus’ ability to evade interferon-mediated host immunity. Having shown proof-of-concept for an influenza A vaccine, the team is applying its approach to vaccines against other viral pathogens.

Viral infection activates host production of interferons, triggering the expression of antiviral genes that limit viral replication and stimulate antibody and T cell responses. To get around the host’s defenses, many viruses have evolved strategies to suppress the production or function of interferons, thereby weakening the body’s innate immune response...