Universal Swine Flu Vaccine on Horizon: A Breakthrough Using Epigraph Algorithm

Scientists at the Nebraska Center for Virology have achieved a significant breakthrough in the development of a universal vaccine for swine flu. Utilizing an innovative computer technique called Epigraph, they have analyzed numerous flu virus variants to create a vaccine that could provide broad protection against swine flu. Given the potential pandemic risks associated with this virus, the successful development of a universal vaccine could have far-reaching implications for human health.

The researchers at Nebraska have utilized Epigraph, a data-driven technique, to create a potentially universal swine flu vaccine. Extensive trials conducted on hogs have demonstrated its superior effectiveness and durability compared to traditional vaccines. This breakthrough has the potential to greatly impact human health, given the pandemic potential of swine flu.

Promising results from long-term experiments conducted on live hogs suggest that Nebraska scientists are making significant strides toward developing a safe, long-lasting, and potentially universal vaccine for swine flu.

The implications of this research extend beyond the pork industry and hold immense importance for human health. Pigs serve as “mixing vessels,” where various swine and bird influenza strains can combine and become transmissible to humans. The 2009 swine flu pandemic, caused by a variant of the H1N1 strain, originated in swine before infecting a significant portion of the global population, resulting in numerous deaths. The development of more effective vaccination strategies for vulnerable pig populations is crucial in light of these factors, as highlighted by Erika Petro-Turnquist, the lead author of the study.

Under the guidance of Eric Weaver, director of the Nebraska Center for Virology, Petro-Turnquist and her team have leveraged the Epigraph algorithm, a data-based computer technique co-developed by Bette Korber and James Theiler of Los Alamos National Laboratory. This approach aims to create a more comprehensive vaccine against influenza, which is notoriously challenging to prevent due to its rapid mutation rate.

Currently, swine flu in pigs is managed using commercially available vaccines derived from inactivated or weakened live viruses. However, these vaccines are custom-made for specific herds, making them expensive, time-consuming, and not particularly effective due to the rapid evolution of swine influenza.

The Epigraph algorithm allows scientists to analyze numerous amino acid sequences from hundreds of flu virus variants, enabling the creation of a vaccine cocktail containing the three most common epitopes. Epitopes are specific portions of viral proteins that trigger the immune system’s response. This approach could pave the way for a universal flu vaccine, defined by the National Institutes of Health as being at least 75% effective, protecting against multiple types of influenza viruses for a minimum of one year, and suitable for all age groups.

Weaver explained that the first epitope resembles a typical influenza vaccine gene, while the second and third epitopes exhibit unusual and rare characteristics. By computationally reassembling these epitopes recognized by the immune system as pathogens, the vaccine provides robust protection against a wide array of viruses.

To enhance effectiveness, the vaccine is delivered using adenovirus, a common virus that causes symptoms similar to a cold. Its use as a vector triggers an additional immune response by simulating a natural viral infection.

Two years ago, Weaver’s team published initial results in Nature Communications based on tests conducted on mice and pigs. The findings indicated that the Epigraph-developed vaccine elicited immune responses and provided physiological protection against a wider range of strains compared to widely used commercial and wildtype flu vaccines.

The follow-up study represents the first longitudinal analysis comparing the onset and duration of an adenovirus-vectored vaccine with that of a whole inactivated virus vaccine. The research team observed 15 female Yorkshire cross-bred pigs over a period of approximately six months, which corresponds to the typical lifespan of a market hog.

The pigs were divided into three groups: one group received the Epigraph vaccine, another group received a commercial whole inactivated virus vaccine, and the third group served as the control group and received a saline solution. The pigs received their initial vaccination at three weeks of age, followed by a booster shot three weeks later. Their antibody levels and T-cell responses were monitored weekly during the first month and then every 30 days. At six months of age, they were exposed to a swine flu strain different from those directly represented in the vaccine.

The pigs that received the Epigraph vaccine exhibited faster and longer-lasting antibody and T-cell responses. After exposure to the swine flu virus, the vaccinated pigs showed significantly better protection against the disease, with reduced viral shedding, fewer infection symptoms, and stronger immune system responses.

Weaver’s team intends to continue their research, with future steps including larger studies and potential commercial partnerships to bring the vaccine to market. The team’s confidence in the vaccine’s success continues to grow with each study they conduct.

Reference: “Adenoviral-vectored epigraph vaccine elicits robust, durable, and protective immunity against H3 influenza A virus in swine” by Erika Petro-Turnquist, Matthew Pekarek, Nicholas Jeanjaquet, Cedric Wooledge, David Steffen, Hiep Vu and Eric A. Weaver, 15 May 2023, Frontiers in Immunology.
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1143451

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More about Universal Swine Flu Vaccine

• “Universal Swine Flu Vaccine: Breakthrough Study Using Epigraph Algorithm” – Read more
• “Nebraska Center for Virology” – Visit website
• “Swine Flu Outbreaks: Pandemic Potential and Implications for Human Health” – Learn more
• “Epigraph Algorithm: Data-Driven Technique for Vaccine Development” – Read about it
• “2009 Swine Flu Pandemic: Impact and Lessons Learned” – Explore the details