title: Epitope characterization of the protective monoclonal antibody VN04-2 shows broadly neutralizing activity against highly pathogenic H5N1.
abstract: The monoclonal antibody VN04-2 was previously shown to protect mice against lethal A/Vietnam/1203/04 H5N1 virus challenge when administered pre- and post-infection. In this study, we characterized the binding requirements of this antibody using direct binding to hemagglutinin and neutralization assays with H5N1 virus-like particles (H5N1-VLP) of eight recent H5N1 strains representing the major mutations within the 140s antigenic loop. Binding was clade independent and 3 mutations within this antigenic region are required before escape is possible, suggesting that apart from the H5N1 viruses circulating in Indonesia, VN04-2 may provide protection against H5N1 viruses from all other regions.
authors.affiliation: Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, 27 Medical Dr, 117510, Singapore. lpeichie@dso.org.sg
authors.forename: Angeline P C
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Steven K K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Annie H Y
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Conrad E Z
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Eng Eong
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Ooi
authors.forename: Brendon J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Hanson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000939:Epitopes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D014771:Virion / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus