Objective: To recover broad-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (BnAbs) from avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection cases and investigate their genetic and functional features.
Methods: We screened the Abs repertoires of expanded B cells circulating in the peripheral blood of H5N1 patients. The genetic basis, biological functions, and epitopes of the obtained BnAbs were assessed and modeled.
Results: Two BnAbs, 2-12D5, and 3-37G7.1, were respectively obtained from two human H5N1 cases on days 12 and 21 after disease onset. Both Abs demonstrated cross-neutralizing and Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity. Albeit derived from distinct Ab lineages, i.e., V H1-69-D2-15-J H4 (2-12D5) and V H1-2-D3-9-J H5 (3-32G7.1), the BnAbs were directed toward CR6261-like epitopes in the HA stem, and HA 2 I45 in the hydrophobic pocket was the critical residue for their binding. Signature motifs for binding with the HA stem, namely, IFY in V H1-69-encoded Abs and LXYFXW in D3-9-encoded Abs, were also observed in 2-12D5 and 3-32G7.1, respectively.
Conclusions: Cross-reactive B cells of different germline origins could be activated and re-circulated by avian influenza virus. The HA stem epitopes targeted by the BnAbs, and the two Ab-encoding genes usage implied the VH1-69 and D3-9 are the ideal candidates triggered by influenza virus for vaccine development.
Keywords: Antibody; Avian influenza A (H5N1) virus; Cross-neutralizing; D3-9; VH1-69.
Copyright © 2020 The Editorial Board of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences. Published by China CDC. All rights reserved.