Monoclonal antibody, but not synthetic peptide, targeting the ectodomain of influenza B virus M2 proton channel has antiviral activity

New Microbiol. 2010 Oct;33(4):311-7.

Abstract

The proton channels of influenza A virus (A/M2) and influenza B virus (BM2) are essential for viral replication. Previously we have shown that monoclonal antibodies targeting the ectodomain of the A/M2 proton channel have antiviral activity in vitro. In this study, we generated both monoclonal antibody and phage displayed peptide against the eight amino acids comprising the ectodomain of the BM2 proton channel and investigated their antiviral activities in vitro. A cytopathic assay showed that the monoclonal antibody potently protected MDCK cells from homologous, but not heterologous, virus infections. A plaque forming assay showed that viral replication was not completely neutralized, but greatly inhibited, by the monoclonal antibody. In contrast, no antiviral activity was observed for the synthetic native or engineered peptides. These results indicate that antibody targeting the M2 proton channel is a promising therapeutic candidate for treating influenza virus infections, and that antibody structure is important for antiviral activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / pharmacology*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Dogs
  • Influenza B virus / drug effects*
  • Influenza B virus / immunology
  • Influenza B virus / physiology
  • Ion Channels / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Ion Channels / immunology
  • Ion Channels / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Peptide Library
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / immunology
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / physiology
  • Virus Replication / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ion Channels
  • M2 protein, Influenza A virus
  • Peptide Library
  • Peptides
  • Viral Matrix Proteins