title: Gamma-irradiated influenza A virus can prime for a cross-reactive and cross-protective immune response against influenza A viruses.
abstract: A-strain influenza virus A/JAP (H2N2) was tested for its ability to induce cytotoxic T cells (Tc) after being rendered non-infectious by either UV or gamma irradiation. Gamma-irradiated virus proved to be more efficient than UV-inactivated virus in priming for a memory Tc cell response or in boosting memory spleen cells in vitro. Most importantly, gamma-inactivated, but not UV-inactivated, A/JAP immunized animals survived lethal challenge with heterologous (A/PC(H3N2), A/WSN(H1N1)) virus as effectively as mice primed with infectious virus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Müllbacher
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Ada
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Hla
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007109:Immunity / Q000528:radiation effects; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology