title: Memory CD4 T cell-mediated immunity against influenza A virus: more than a little helpful.
abstract: Recent observations have uncovered multiple pathways whereby CD4 T cells can contribute to protective immune responses against microbial threats. Incorporating the generation of memory CD4 T cells into vaccine strategies thus presents an attractive approach toward improving immunity against several important human pathogens, especially those against which antibody responses alone are inadequate to confer long-term immunity. Here, we review how memory CD4 T cells provide protection against influenza viruses. We discuss the complexities of protective memory CD4 T cell responses observed in animal models and the potential challenges of translating these observations into the clinic. Specifically, we concentrate on how better understanding of organ-specific heterogeneity of responding cells and defining multiple correlates of protection might improve vaccine-generated memory CD4 T cells to better protect against seasonal, and more importantly, pandemic influenza.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01583, USA, kai.mckinstry@umassmed.edu.
authors.forename: K Kai
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: McKinstry
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Dutton
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Swain
authors.forename: Tara M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Strutt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*