This Week in Virology TWiV 1303: Overachieving vaccines
Mar 8, 2026
They discuss a study linking shingles vaccination with slower biological aging and the methods used to measure that effect. They dig into virus naming and classification to clear up scientific naming confusion. They explore a mucosal vaccine strategy in mice that broadens respiratory protection and the immune mechanisms behind it.
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Mucosal TLR Adjuvant Vaccine Gives Broad Respiratory Protection
- Mucosal vaccination (intranasal) combining TLR4 and TLR7/8 agonists with an antigen produced broad protection in mice against diverse respiratory viruses and bacteria.
- Protection included lower viral/bacterial loads, less weight loss and reduced lung damage even without pathogen-specific antigen.
TLR4+TLR7/8 Intranasal Combo Protects Against Viruses And Bacteria
- Intranasal GLA (TLR4) plus 3M-052 LS (TLR7/8) with ovalbumin or viral proteins induced protection against SARS-CoV, bat coronaviruses, influenza-primed mice and bacterial pathogens.
- Efficacy persisted up to at least three months in mice.
Use Mucosal Trained Vaccines As Pandemic Stopgaps
- Consider intranasal adjuvant strategies as rapid interim countermeasures during respiratory pandemics.
- Deploying trained mucosal vaccines could buy months of broad protection while pathogen-specific vaccines are developed.
