Antibodies targeting the neuraminidase active site inhibit influenza H3N2 viruses with an S245N glycosylation site.

Stadlbauer, Daniel; McMahon, Meagan; Turner, Hannah L; Zhu, Xueyong; Wan, Hongquan; Carreño, Juan Manuel; O'Dell, George; Strohmeier, Shirin et al. · Nat Commun · 2022

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Contemporary influenza A H3N2 viruses circulating since 2016 have acquired a glycosylation site in the neuraminidase in close proximity to the enzymatic active site. Here, we investigate if this S245N glycosylation site, as a result of antigenic evolution, can impact binding and function of human monoclonal antibodies that target the conserved active site. While we find that a reduction in the inhibitory ability of neuraminidase active site binders is measurable, this class of broadly reactive monoclonal antibodies maintains protective efficacy in vivo.

Medical subject headings