The immune response to influenza a viruses

The influenza A viruses are dangerous pathogens with the potential to provoke devastating disease. The challenge for the medical research community is to design preventive measures and therapeutic interventions that will limit the severe consequences of pandemic influenza A virus infections. Vaccines have long been available, but there is considerable scope for improvement as they target only the prevailing influenza A virus strains, do not give broad immunity, and work poorly in the elderly, the target group that is most at risk of fatal disease. Improved vaccines will only emerge if the development strategy is based on a firm understanding of the host immune response to the virus. Here, we summarize the research to date that details immune mechanisms participating in the control and elimination of influenza A viruses.