New bird flu study results from Y. Shoji et al described
2009 JUL 14 - (NewsRx.com) -- "Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of the H5N1 Subtype have been identified as a potential pandemic threat by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since 1997, these viruses have been spreading from Asia to Europe and Africa with increasing genetic and antigenic diversities," researchers in the United States report. "Vaccination is the preferred strategy for the prevention and control Of influenza infections and the availability of a system for the rapid engineering and production of vaccines is required in the event of an influenza pandemic. In this study, we engineered and produced recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) from A/Bar-headed Goose/Qinghai/1A/05 (clade 2.2) and A/Anhui/1/2005 (clade 2.3) in Nicotiana benthamiana Plants. Immunization of mice with these plant-derived HA antigens elicited serum hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and virus neutralization (VN) antibodies," wrote Y. Shoji and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "These results Suggest the Utility of our plant-expression system for recombinant influenza vaccine production." Shoji and colleagues published their study in Vaccine (Immunogenicity of hemagglutinin from A/Bar-headed Goose/Qinghai/1A/05 and A/Anhui/1/05 strains of H5N1 influenza viruses produced in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Vaccine, 2009;27(25-26 Sp.):3467-3470). For additional information, contact V. Yusibov, Fraunhofer, USA Center Molecular Biotechnology, 9 Innovat Way, Suite 200, Newark, DE 19711, USA. Publisher contact information for the journal Vaccine is: Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, Oxon, England. Keywords: United States, Newark, Avian Flu, Avian Influenza, Biotechnology, Bird Flu, Immunization, Influenza Virus, Pandemics, Vaccination, Vaccines, Viral Research, Virology. This article was prepared by Virus Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Virus Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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