Figure 2.

Cross-conservation between T-cell receptor facing residues of Tcell epitopes and the human genome may influence the response to influenza H7N9. The virus may exploit cross-conservation between its own epitopes with self epitopes (top). Unique epitopes (middle) may be diminished, as has been demonstrated in our previous report. Cross-reactivity with other influenza A strains may also be present (bottom), further modifying the immune response. Each of these influences contributes to the final response to influenza infection or vaccination, including seroconversion rates and antibody maturation and affinity.