THE HUMAN CYTO-TOXIC T-CELL RESPONSE TO INFLUENZA-A VACCINATION

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 43  (2) , 276-284
Abstract
The human cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to challenge with influenza A vaccine was studied. Of 8 volunteers given killed whole influenza virus A/USSR (H1N1) vaccine, showed substantial increases on the CTL memory level 1 mo. after immunization. The CTL measured at this time showed complete cross-reactivity in their specificity for influenza A/USSR (H1N1) and A/X31 (H3N2) infected cells and also showed HLA restriction. The CTL memory level increased in only 3 of 9 donors given subunit vaccine and showed no change in those not given vaccine. If cytotoxic T cells are important in influenza prophylaxis, killed whole virus vaccine should offer better protection than subunit vaccine.