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A mechanism for BCG vaccine cross-protection against pulmonary viral infections

Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is the only available vaccine against tuberculosis. As well as being an effective vaccine against tuberculosis, BCG also provides off-target protection against various pathogens. Here, we report a mechanism for BCG-mediated cross-protection against influenza A virus (IAV), which requires a dialogue between the innate and adaptive immune memory systems.

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Fig. 1: BCG-IV provides cross-protection against IAV infection through the generation and reprogramming of CX3CR1hi T cells.

References

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This is a summary of: Tran, K. A. et al. BCG immunization induces CX3CR1hi effector memory T cells to provide cross-protection via IFN-γ-mediated trained immunity. Nat. Immunol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-023-01739-z (2024).

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A mechanism for BCG vaccine cross-protection against pulmonary viral infections. Nat Immunol 25, 403–404 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-024-01775-3

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