Cross-reactive T cells target measles and Nipah viruses

Scientists have discovered that T cells, a critical component of the human immune system, can recognize and target multiple viruses within the paramyxovirus family, including measles and Nipah. This finding suggests a potential new strategy for developing broad-spectrum vaccines and therapies against these dangerous pathogens.

The research, conducted at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology and published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, demonstrates that certain T cells exhibit "crossreactivity." This means they can identify conserved molecular sites, known as epitopes, shared between different viruses. The study specifically identified a conserved region on the viral fusion, or F, protein that is common to both measles and Nipah viruses. A significant proportion of cross-reactive T cells targeted this structure.

Researchers collected and analyzed T cells from 31 study participants who had received the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Their blood samples contained T cells primed to fight measles infection. Experiments led by postdoctoral fellow Alison Tarke and senior staff scientist Ricardo Da Silva Antunes mapped T cell epitopes on the...