17β-Estradiol restores antibody responses to an influenza vaccine in a postmenopausal mouse model.

Post-menopausal women belong to an age group that is highly susceptible to influenza infection and its most serious complications. However, data on the immunogenicity of influenza vaccines in these women is limited. Therefore, the antibody response to influenza vaccination was assessed in a postmenopausal mouse model.

Immunity to pre-1950 H1N1 influenza viruses confers cross-protection against the pandemic swine-origin 2009 A (H1N1) influenza virus.

The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus outbreak is the first pandemic of the twenty-first century. Epidemiological data reveal that of all the people afflicted with H1N1 virus, <5% are over 51 y of age. Interestingly, in the uninfected population, 33% of those >60 y old have pre-existing neutralizing Abs against the 2009 H1N1 virus.

Sooty mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus atys) IGHG and IGHA genes.

Antibodies are adaptor molecules of the immune system that link antigen recognition with the effector mechanisms responsible for antigen clearance. Several nonhuman primate species are widely used in biomedical research, especially for vaccine development and for AIDS-related studies. However, nonhuman primate antibody molecules have been characterized only partially and only in a few species.