Pig Influenza

In the last decades, the mouse model tremendously contributed to the progress of research in immunology. However, it is worth noticing that research in large/unconventional animals has given pivotal information to immunology in general. The need for translational immunological research, the development of new animal models more adapted to the scientific question, and the acquisition of new knowledge in comparative immunology is increasing in importance every year. The main aim of the group is to provide insights into immunological host-pathogen interactions by studying the immune system of the pigs in the context of natural relevant viral infections, such as Influenza virus (IV) or African swine fever virus (ASFV). Also, pigs will be used as model for celular therapies. Besides its importance as a zoonotic agent, Swine Influenza Virus (SwIV) is also important for its impact in the pig farming industry. Swine influenza is a relevant porcine respiratory disease, whose importance has been often underestimated due to the impact of other respiratory pathologies. Our data in collaboration with HIPRA S.A. have shown by phylogenetic analysis that circulating SIV strains in Spain belonged to the lineages “Avian-Like” H1N1, “Human-Like” H3N2, and “Human-Like” H1N2, showing tight relationships with early or contemporary strains described in Europe. Also, our results indicated that reassortment events could have influenced the evolution, indicating that circulating SIV strains in pig farms could be a potential zoonotic agent. Thus, control of SwIV is very important not only to prevent pulmonary lesions in pigs but also to control a zoonotic infection.