A highly conserved neutralizing epitope on group 2 influenza A viruses

DC Ekiert, RHE Friesen, G Bhabha, T Kwaks… - Science, 2011 - science.org
DC Ekiert, RHE Friesen, G Bhabha, T Kwaks, M Jongeneelen, W Yu, C Ophorst, F Cox
Science, 2011science.org
Current flu vaccines provide only limited coverage against seasonal strains of influenza
viruses. The identification of VH1-69 antibodies that broadly neutralize almost all influenza A
group 1 viruses constituted a breakthrough in the influenza field. Here, we report the
isolation and characterization of a human monoclonal antibody CR8020 with broad
neutralizing activity against most group 2 viruses, including H3N2 and H7N7, which cause
severe human infection. The crystal structure of Fab CR8020 with the 1968 pandemic H3 …
Current flu vaccines provide only limited coverage against seasonal strains of influenza viruses. The identification of VH1-69 antibodies that broadly neutralize almost all influenza A group 1 viruses constituted a breakthrough in the influenza field. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a human monoclonal antibody CR8020 with broad neutralizing activity against most group 2 viruses, including H3N2 and H7N7, which cause severe human infection. The crystal structure of Fab CR8020 with the 1968 pandemic H3 hemagglutinin (HA) reveals a highly conserved epitope in the HA stalk distinct from the epitope recognized by the VH1-69 group 1 antibodies. Thus, a cocktail of two antibodies may be sufficient to neutralize most influenza A subtypes and, hence, enable development of a universal flu vaccine and broad-spectrum antibody therapies.
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