National Health and Medical Research Council

Influenza is respiratory illness that affects many Australians every year, particularly through the winter months. Influenza is caused by a family of closely related viruses, influenza types A, B and C. Influenza A viruses, which can also infect birds and swine, are also classified into different H and N types by their surface proteins. The genomes of influenza viruses mutate quickly, reducing the effectiveness of prior acquired immunity or vaccination. Each year new vaccines must be prepared in anticipation of the virus strains to come. The mutation can also give rise to more dangerous strains that cause pandemics. The three pandemics in the 20th Century (1918 (H1N1), 1957 (H2N2) and 1968 (H3N2)) have been joined this century in 2009 by ‘swine flu’ (H1N1). [1]

In 2007, there were over 10,000 notifications of influenza infection. In 2006, 2715 Australians died from influenza or its most common complication, pneumonia. [1,2]

NHMRC funding for influenza research

In the period 2004-09, NHMRC contributed over $20.1 million to Australian research into influenza.

Some NHMRC-funded research projects into influenza

A novel strategy to regulate host antiviral immune response and inflammation through mTNF

Chief investigator Dr Geeta Chaudri, Australian National University

New and re-emerging viral infections continue to pose a major problem. We have recently discovered a hitherto unrecognized process that the body uses to regulate its response to infection. Some viruses have evolved to target this process, underscoring its importance. We will study 2 virus models, poxvirus and influenza A, to understand how this process works during infection. We will also examine the potential to exploit this process to block pathology and influence recovery from infection.

NHMRC Project Grant

Adapting Pandemic Influenza management to the newly-emerged virus

Chief investigator Professor Niels G Becker, Australian National University

The Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza is based on data from past and current influenza. A newly-emerged influenza strain is likely to differ in some respects. This project will develop practical ways to adapt the management plan to the emerged virus from early pandemic data. It will determine the data needed to do this efficiently, to ensure that Australia receives the greatest benefit from its antiviral drugs, vaccines and other public health interventions introduced.

NHMRC Project Grant

Infection of bronchial epithelial cells by human & avian influenza in chronic airways disease

Chief investigator Dr Peter AB Wark, University of Newcastle

Influenza is an important infection that causes disease every year in the Australian population. People with lung disease are at particular risk to its effects. The ability of the virus to grow in birds and change its appearance to our immune system allows this virus to cause severe disease every year. We will examine the immune response to this virus in human cells, comparing this response to human and bird strains of the virus and see why subjects with lung disease are more susceptible.

NHMRC Project Grant

How influenza spreads within the body

Chief investigator Professor Lorena E Brown, University of Melbourne

We are exploring how influenza virus moves down the respiratory tract after infecting the nose. We have identified a component of mouse saliva that can halt the progression from the nose to the trachea and lungs and will determine how it binds to the virus to stop infection. We will also examine how human and highly lethal avian viruses move from the upper respiratory tract to other organs in the mouse and also in the ferret, which is a much better model for mimicking what happens in man.

NHMRC Project Grant

Immunity to influenza

Chief investigator Professor Wolfgang Weninger, University of Sydney

Influenza is an acute febrile respiratory illness caused by influenza virus infection, and may trigger potentially life-threatening complications especially in the young and elderly. Immunity against influenza virus involves integration of the innate and adaptive immune system. We will use cutting-edge 2-photon microscopy to determine the orchestration of innate and adaptive immune cell interactions during viral infection. Results may provide for enhanced therapeutic or protective measures.

NHMRC Project Grant

Understanding the killing of virus infected cells

Chief investigator Dr Justine D Mintern, University of Melbourne

Viruses provoke devastating disease. The immune system kills cells that are infected with viruses. To do this, immune cells release granules that are packaged with different killer molecules. It is unknown which killer molecules participate over the course of an immune response to virus. Here, we will investigate this process for cells that are infected with influenza A virus and herpes simplex virus. This study will allow the design of strategies to limit widespread damage inflicted by viruses.

NHMRC Project Grant - Priming Grant (New Investigator)

Nanopatch immunisation against influenza

Chief investigator Professor Mark A Kendall, University of Queensland

Development of a new way to vaccinate against influenza that will make standard vaccines 100 times more potent than conventional syringe injection. The Nanopatch is made from a silicon wafer, bristling with micro-nanoscale spikes. It painlessly deposits vaccine under the skin surface. Experiments in mice show that even a small vaccine payload delivered to the skin generates good immune responses. The Nanopatch vaccination system is expected to be ready for clinical trials within a few years.

NHMRC Project Grant

Understanding influenza mortality and the effects of vaccination in the elderly

Chief investigator Professor John D Mathews, University of Melbourne

We will analyse mortality from influenza and other causes to estimate the numbers of deaths from other causes that are triggered by influenza in elderly persons, and to test the value of vaccination in preventing those deaths. Our results will help to decide whether an expensive clinical trial is really needed to show the benefit of influenza vaccination on all-cause mortality in the elderly.

NHMRC Project Grant

A newly discovered influenza protein that contributes to illness may be a possible therapeutic target

Chief investigator Dr Julie L McAuley, University of Melbourne

The 1918 influenza virus pandemic resulted in 50 million deaths globally and there is potential for new pandemics, such as the predicted H5N1 Bird Flu . Exact causes of such devastating lethality are not fully identified. Newly discovered influenza A virus (IAV) PB1-F2 protein is present in nearly all highly pathogenic IAVs and promotes virus virulence. This study will further examine the way in which PB1-F2 impacts the host, revealing potential therapeutic targets to lessen disease burden.

NHMRC Project Grant - Priming Grant (New Investigator)

Vaccines for H5N1 Flu

Chief investigator Professor Ian A Ramshaw, Australian National University

The flu vaccines in use today work by inducing antibodies to surface proteins. Flu causes disease every year but occasionally a new strain arises that is distinctly different from previous strains and can cause wides spread disease and deaths worldwide. Our new approach is to increase the level of T cells that can recognise and kill flu infected cells from all flu strains.

NHMRC Project Grant - Development Grant

Understanding and Controlling Influenza

Chief investigator Professor Peter C Doherty, University of Melbourne

While current influenza vaccines blunt winter epidemics, they must be updated frequently to keep up with virus mutation and they do not protect against pandemics caused by new flu viruses (such as bird flu). This program will define how flu virus interacts with the immune system to generate immunity mediated particularly by “killer” T cells. We will use this knowledge to develop and evaluate vaccines that induce long-lasting T-cell immunity that can protect against both seasonal and pandemic flu.

NHMRC Program Grant – New Program Grant

Sources

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2008. Australia’s health 2008. Cat. no. AUS 99. Canberra: AIHW
2. AIHW - Latest mortality data - www.aihw.gov.au/mortality/data/current_data.cfm.