Sequential addition of temperature-sensitive missense mutations into the PB2 gene of influenza A transfectant viruses can effect an increase in temperature sensitivity and attenuation and permits the rational design of a genetically engineered live influenza A virus vaccine.

We have previously described a strategy for the recovery of a synthetic influenza A virus wild-type (wt) PB2 gene (derived from influenza A/Ann Arbor/6/60 [AA] virus) into an infectious virus. It was possible to introduce an attenuating temperature-sensitive (ts) mutation at amino acid residue 265 of the AA wt PB2 gene and to rescue this mutant gene into infectious virus. Application of this new technology to influenza A virus vaccine development requires that multiple attenuating mutations be introduced to achieve a satisfactorily attenuated virus that retains the attenuation (att) phenotype following replication in vivo.

Safety and immunogenicity of a cold-adapted influenza A (H1N1) reassortant virus vaccine administered to infants less than six months of age.

A safe and effective influenza vaccine is needed to prevent serious influenza illness in infants younger than 6 months of age. The purpose of this study was to determine whether two doses of the cold-adapted (ca) influenza A reassortant vaccine would be safe and immunogenic in this age group. In the first part of this study, infants received two doses of 10(5) or 10(6) 50% tissue culture-infectious dose (TCID50) of the ca influenza vaccine separately from routine immunizations.

Rescue of an influenza A virus wild-type PB2 gene and a mutant derivative bearing a site-specific temperature-sensitive and attenuating mutation.

Live attenuated influenza A virus vaccines are currently produced by the transfer of attenuating genes from a donor virus to new epidemic variants of influenza A virus, with the selection of reassortant viruses that possess the protective antigens (i.e., the two surface glycoproteins) of the epidemic virus and the attenuating genes from the donor virus.

Beta 2-microglobulin-deficient mice can be protected against influenza A infection by vaccination with vaccinia-influenza recombinants expressing hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.

Immunity to viral infections includes both antibody and T cell components. The contributions of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses vary depending on virus and host factors. We have used an in vivo challenge system to examine protective immunity to influenza A(H1N1) virus infection in immunocompetent B6 (H-2b) mice, and in H-2b mice homozygous for disruption of the gene for beta 2-microglobulin, termed beta 2 mu(-/-) mice.

Respiratory syncytial virus-specific immunoglobulins in preterm infants.

Incomplete transfer of maternal antibodies specific to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been suggested as an explanation for the increased risk of RSV infections in preterm infants. Antibodies directed against the two major RSV envelope glycoproteins, F and G, are protective in vitro and in vivo. Our study was conducted to measure IgG, IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 antibody titers against the RSV F and G glycoproteins in cord sera from infants born at different gestational ages.