Stockpiled Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Vaccines Induce Robust, Nonneutralizing Functional Antibodies Against Antigenically Drifted Fifth-Wave A(H7N9) Viruses

J Infect Dis. 2019 Sep 13;220(8):1276-1280. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz295.

Abstract

Human infections caused by avian influenza A(H7N9) viruses have raised concerns of a pandemic. The capability of the current stockpiled A(H7N9) vaccines to induce cross-protective, nonneutralizing functional antibodies against antigenically drifted A(H7N9) viruses has not been evaluated before. Here we show that vaccination with either MF59- or AS03-adjuvanted inactivated A(H7N9) vaccines elicited robust, cross-reactive antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity-mediating and neuraminidase-inhibiting functional antibodies against the antigenically drifted A(H7N9) viruses that emerged recently during the fifth-wave outbreak in China, including a highly pathogenic A(H7N9) human isolate. Such cross-reactive humoral immunity may provide vital first-line defense against fatal outcomes in case of an A(H7N9) pandemic.

Keywords: ADCC; antibody; hemagglutinin; influenza A virus; neuraminidase; vaccines.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Antigens, Viral / genetics
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • Cross Protection*
  • Cross Reactions
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Humoral
  • Immunization Schedule
  • Immunogenicity, Vaccine
  • Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype / immunology*
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Influenza Vaccines / adverse effects
  • Influenza Vaccines / immunology*
  • Influenza Vaccines / supply & distribution
  • Influenza, Human / immunology
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control*
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Influenza Vaccines