Possible flu silver bullet tested on mice

TOKYO, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Japanese researchers say they've developed a new, universal flu vaccine, offering a possible silver bullet against new strains of the bug.

Trials on mice have shown promising results even on strains that can mutate quickly, Yomiuri Shimbun reported Friday.

Previous vaccines were developed based on proteins resembling barbs that covered the outer surface of the virus, researchers said. When a virus enters the body of a vaccinated person, antibodies detect the barbs and try to suppress and fight off the virus. The drawback was the shape of the proteins differs from strain to strain.

Researchers from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, Saitama Medical University and NOF Corp. targeted the proteins inside the virus, which morph little over time compared with proteins on the surface.

The vaccine has an artificial version of the protein developed by the team that is attached to a special membrane, the Japanese publication said. When the vaccine is injected, immune system cells attack virus-infected cells.

"We'll investigate what dosage will be safe and effective for humans," said Tetsuya Uchida, a senior researcher at the institute. "I hope the vaccine can be put to practical use as soon as possible."