Overview
- In mice, a nasal formulation reported in Science triggered rapid, wide-ranging protection in the lungs that persisted for roughly three months.
- The approach boosts communication between alveolar macrophages and T cells, putting frontline respiratory immune cells on high alert rather than targeting a single pathogen.
- Researchers are preparing human studies, including controlled infection trials, with delivery potentially via nebuliser to reach deep lung tissues.
- Scientists caution that sustained immune activation could cause harmful side effects, and they flag uncertainties for older adults and interactions with other infections.
- If proven safe and effective in people, the candidate could reduce reliance on multiple annual respiratory jabs, with a best-case availability timeline of about five to seven years.