학술논문

A highly conserved neutralizing epitope on Group 2 influenza a viruses
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Document Type
Author abstract
Report
Source
Science. August 12, 2011, Vol. 333 Issue 6044, p843, 8 p.
Subject
United States
Language
English
ISSN
0036-8075
Abstract
Current flu vaccines provide only limited coverage against seasonal strains of influenza viruses. The identification of [V.sub.H]1-69 antibodies that broadly neutralize almost all influenza A group 1 viruses constituted a breakthrough in the influenza field. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a human monoclonal antibody CR8020 with broad neutralizing activity against most group 2 viruses, including H3N2 and H7N7, which cause severe human infection. The crystal structure of Fab CR8020 with the 1968 pandemic H3 hemagglutinin (HA) reveals a highly conserved epitope in the HA stalk distinct from the epitope recognized by the [V.sub.H]1-69 group 1 antibodies. Thus, a cocktail of two antibodies may be sufficient to neutralize most influenza A subtypes and, hence, enable development of a universal flu vaccine and broad-spectrum antibody therapies. 10.1126/science.1204839