Better Flu Vaccines In The Works
Newer and better flu vaccines may soon be on the way, and its all thanks to some new findings about antibodies.
Memory B cells are a sub-type of B cell that make antibodies against antigens. The analyzation of the formation of these cells may help researchers to understand how to stimulate their production by vaccination. If new flu shots can be developed that incorporate these B cells, then we may be on our way for better results during the dreaded flu season. The cells are basically created when the immune system responds to infections, and they act as a type of first responder to the virus. In other words, these cells understand what creates the virus. When scientists can see how these cells are formed in response to infection, they get a better picture of how the immune system reacts, and that can lead to more cures. By understanding where these cells are during an infection, such as in the lungs that makes it interesting. Normally, one doesnt find these cells in that area nor are the lungs associated with an immune response. Finding that both the cells are present and that the lung can be a place where they are found is major news. The lungs can now be considered more complex and have more potential for immunity memory. This is excellent! The findings on all this may make vaccines possible that can generate these antibodies, and understanding how the memory of B cell formation works is going to be a real key.
As flu strains mutate and change in composition, it would be great if a flu vaccine could be developed that doesnt have to change with a new mutation, and the B cell vaccine sounds like a very good step in that direction.
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