Since the rapid rise and spread of the Zika virus, the search for a vaccine has begun. Although the virus causes mild symptoms in most cases, its association with serious birth defects in pregnant women, particularly abnormal fetal brain development and microcephaly, and with Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults (an autoimmune disease that causes paralysis) makes the vaccine imperative. Previous viral control efforts have only prevented exposure to the vector – the Zika mosquito – so a vaccine would provide an essential and effective attempt to eradicate the virus. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Efforts to produce a working vaccine are yielding results, but a new study suggests a radical approach. Annie Elong Ngono of the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology demonstrated the specific significance of certain immune cells as an intermediary in producing the Zika defense response and named them targets for future vaccine development. These cells, known as CD4+ T cells or helper T cells, “contribute to the generation of [antibody] responses… and control of viral infection,” in intravaginally infected mice, with the researchers concluding the “dominant feature of the protection of CD4+ T cells during primary ZIKV infection” is in the antibody production phase. Although CD4+ T cells are not required to control intravenous infections in mice, the memory they confer on intravaginally infected mice led to immunity against lethal doses of Zika. Amelia Pinto's research had previously shown that helper T cells produce the CD4 protein that prevents neurological symptoms in Zika-infected mice by halting the invasion of the brain and spinal cord and thus the severe associated symptoms. In addition to other roles in the immune system, helper T cells contribute to adaptive immunity. After the initial exposure to the pathogen, the system creates a response that remains in the body as immunological memory, meaning that subsequent infections are less severe and are cleared more quickly. Adaptive immunity is the basis of vaccinations, and this link between helper T cells, antibody production, and Zika may be the missing key to a vaccination. Helper T cells are one of the most vital aspects of immunity and, unsurprisingly, could be the answer to a cure. Researchers can narrow their attempts to find an “efficient” vaccine to “specifically promote CD4+ T cell activation,” rather than wasting time with other immune cells. Previously, Zika viral immunity was attributed to another T cell: cytotoxic or CD8+ T cells. This research highlights the value of a multifaceted approach to questioning and exploring new ideas. Research is based on collaboration, exemplified by the progression of the Zika vaccine. Furthermore, nowadays it is difficult to maintain public interest for long in a topic which makes the timely and immediate development of a vaccine crucial. The public loses interest when infection rates decline or epidemics are geographically limited. Scientists and pharmaceutical companies cannot or do not want to work on drugs and vaccines. Companies face serious financial losses for their research: after the recent epidemic of the Ebola virus, when a vaccine was developed for human trials there were too few infections and the absence of public interest, resulting in a waste of time and resources . Although Ebola is more serious than Zika, it is not transmitted by mosquitoes, which means that.