AZ Vaccine's Immune Effect May Last Long-Term
[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Jinsoo Lee] New research suggests that the immunity effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19 may last a lifetime.
A joint research team from the UK and Switzerland introduced in a paper published online on the 15th in the immunology scientific journal Nature Immunology that adenovirus vector vaccines, such as the one jointly developed by the University of Oxford and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, have a key feature called 'T cell protection.'
Adenovirus vector vaccines use adenoviruses with removed toxicity and infectivity as antigen gene delivery vehicles. In other words, they are made from weakened, inactivated viruses.
Professor Burkhard Ludewig of the St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital in Switzerland, who participated in writing the paper, said, "Through the long evolutionary process of adenoviruses coexisting with humans, we have learned a lot about the human immune system," adding,
"Viruses are the best teachers for humans. Viruses have taught humans how to most effectively activate the response of T cells, which are foreign substance killers. Although hopeful, this could be utilized in developing vaccines for tuberculosis, AIDS, hepatitis C, and cancer."
The research team discovered that adenoviruses can infiltrate long-lived fibroblasts called fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs). FRCs function like training grounds for T cells.
According to some previous studies, the AstraZeneca vaccine has been found to be more effective in generating T cells than mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna.
It is difficult to quantify the exact level of T cells. However, this paper offers hope that T cells can persist for a lifetime in the human body.
Hot Picks Today
At President Lee's Call to "Give Enough to Shock," Whistleblower Rewards Become a Real Lottery
- If They Fail Next Year, Bonus Drops to 97 Million Won... A Closer Look at Samsung Electronics DS Division’s 600M vs 460M vs 160M Performance Bonuses
- Lived as Family for Over 30 Years... Daughter-in-Law Cast Aside After Husband's Death
- Opening a Bank Account in Korea Is Too Difficult..."Over 150,000 Won in Notarization Fees Just for a Child's Account and Debit Card" [Foreigner K-Finance Status]②
- "Who Is Visiting Japan These Days?" The Once-Crowded Tourist Spots Empty Out... What's Happening?
Professor Paul Klenerman of the University of Oxford, an expert in immune responses, said, "Countless people worldwide have been vaccinated with adenovirus vaccines," adding, "The ultimate goal of adenovirus vaccines is to induce an immune system that can last long-term through antibodies and T cells."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
