title: Preexisting human antibodies neutralize recently emerged H7N9 influenza strains.
abstract: The emergence and seasonal persistence of pathogenic H7N9 influenza viruses in China have raised concerns about the pandemic potential of this strain, which, if realized, would have a substantial effect on global health and economies. H7N9 viruses are able to bind to human sialic acid receptors and are also able to develop resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors without a loss in fitness. It is not clear whether prior exposure to circulating human influenza viruses or influenza vaccination confers immunity to H7N9 strains. Here, we demonstrate that 3 of 83 H3 HA-reactive monoclonal antibodies generated by individuals that had previously undergone influenza A virus vaccination were able to neutralize H7N9 viruses and protect mice against homologous challenge. The H7N9-neutralizing antibodies bound to the HA stalk domain but exhibited a difference in their breadth of reactivity to different H7 influenza subtypes. Mapping viral escape mutations suggested that these antibodies bind at least two different epitopes on the stalk region. Together, these results indicate that these broadly neutralizing antibodies may contribute to the development of therapies against H7N9 strains and may also be effective against pathogenic H7 strains that emerge in the future.
authors.forename: Carole J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Henry Dunand
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Leon
authors.forename: Kaval
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: Gene S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Nai-Ying
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Xinyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.forename: Yunping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salgado-Ferrer
authors.forename: Irvin Y
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hai
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wrammert
authors.forename: Rafi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Adolfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García-Sastre
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Palese
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Krammer
authors.forename: Patrick C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000502:physiology; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000502:physiology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000502:physiology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D053122:Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / Q000276:immunology; D064766:Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D061985:Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D017354:Point Mutation; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus; D007252:Influenza Vaccines