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Editorial
. 2014 Dec 12;5(6):e02430-14.
doi: 10.1128/mBio.02430-14.

Influenza gain-of-function experiments: their role in vaccine virus recommendation and pandemic preparedness

S Schultz-Cherry  1 , R J Webby  2 , R G Webster  2 , A Kelso  3 , I G Barr  3 , J W McCauley  4 , R S Daniels  4 , D Wang  5 , Y Shu  5 , E Nobusawa  6 , S Itamura  6 , M Tashiro  6 , Y Harada  6 , S Watanabe  6 , T Odagiri  6 , Z Ye  7 , G Grohmann  8 , R Harvey  9 , O Engelhardt  9 , D Smith  10 , K Hamilton  11 , F Claes  12 , G Dauphin  12
Affiliations
Editorial

Influenza gain-of-function experiments: their role in vaccine virus recommendation and pandemic preparedness

S Schultz-Cherry et al. mBio. .

Abstract

In recent years, controversy has arisen regarding the risks and benefits of certain types of gain-of-function (GOF) studies involving avian influenza viruses. In this article, we provide specific examples of how different types of data, including information garnered from GOF studies, have helped to shape the influenza vaccine production process-from selection of candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs) to the manufacture and stockpiling of safe, high-yield prepandemic vaccines for the global community. The article is not written to support a specific pro- or anti-GOF stance but rather to inform the scientific community about factors involved in vaccine virus selection and the preparation of prepandemic influenza vaccines and the impact that some GOF information has had on this process.

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Figures

FIG 1
FIG 1
Phylogenetic analysis of Cambodian HPAI H5N1 clade 1 viruses. Phylogenetic tree of Cambodian HPAI H5N1 clade 1 HA genes as rooted to the A/Vietnam/1203/2004 CVV.
FIG 2
FIG 2
Generation of recombinant vaccines for influenza by reverse genetics. From the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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