A monoclonal antibody targeting a highly conserved epitope in influenza B neuraminidase provides protection against drug resistant strains

作者：Doyle Tracey M; Li Changgui; Bucher Doris J; Hashem Anwar M; Van Domselaar Gary; Wang Junzhi; Farnsworth Aaron; She Yi Min; Cyr Terry; He Runtao; Brown Earl G; Hurt Aeron C; Li Xuguang^*

来源：Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2013, 441(1): 226-229.

DOI：10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.10.041

• Neuraminidase
• Universal antibody
• Vaccination
• Cross-protection
• Influenza B

All influenza viral neuraminidases (NA) of both type A and B viruses have only one universally conserved sequence located between amino acids 222-230. A monoclonal antibody against this region has been previously reported to provide broad inhibition against all nine subtypes of influenza A NA; yet its inhibitory effect against influenza B viral NA remained unknown. Here, we report that the monoclonal antibody provides a broad inhibition against various strains of influenza B viruses of both Victoria and Yamagata genetic lineage. Moreover, the growth and NA enzymatic activity of two drug resistant influenza B strains (E117D and D197E) are also inhibited by the antibody even though these two mutations are conformationally proximal to the universal epitope. Collectively, these data suggest that this unique, highly-conserved linear sequence in viral NA is exposed sufficiently to allow access by inhibitory antibody during the course of infection; it could represent a potential target for antiviral agents and vaccine-induced immune responses against diverse strains of type B influenza virus.

• 出版日期2013-11-8