Wei 2025 developed the HLA-A2/DR1 and HLA-A11/DR1 transgenic mouse models for direct screening and validation of influenza virus T-cell epitopes for use in designing T cell vaccines against influenza viruses.
Sanders 2024 used three different “dirty” mouse models with different additional microbial experience, compared with commonly used specific pathogen-free mice, to determine how previous microbial exposure affects subsequent immune responses to influenza vaccination and to determine which models best recapitulate human immune responses to vaccination. Results showed differing responses among the mouse models to prior exposure environments and to the magnitude of immune responses to vaccination, suggesting that different model systems may be needed to recapitulate the range of human immune responses to vaccination.
Schewe 2024 demonstrated the ability of a ferret efficacy model, optimized for a low vaccine dose and clinically relevant endpoints, to reproduce clinical immune responses to H1N1 LAIV.
NIAID-supported research is in progress on the predictive value of animal models (mouse, ferret, pig, and hamster) in recapitulating human immunity to influenza infection and vaccination (e.g., PAR-19-247 and PAR-19-248 awards).
Fiege 2021 found that laboratory mice exposed to pathogens from pet-store mice exhibit impaired humoral immunity to influenza vaccination and display gene expression signatures that more authentically reflect human vaccine responses.