Neuraminidase-specific antibodies drive differential cross-protection between contemporary FLUBV lineages.

ABSTRACT: The two influenza B virus (FLUBV) lineages have continuously diverged from each other since the 1980s, with recent (post-2015) viruses exhibiting accelerated evolutionary rates. Emerging data from human studies and epidemiological models suggest that increased divergence in contemporary viruses may drive differential cross-protection, where infection with Yamagata lineage viruses provides limited immunity against Victoria lineage viruses. Here, we developed animal models to investigate the mechanisms behind asymmetric cross-protection between contemporary FLUBV lineages. Our results show that contemporary Victoria immunity provides robust cross-protection against the Yamagata lineage, whereas Yamagata immunity offers limited protection against the Victoria lineage. This differential cross-

SUBMITTER: Page CK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11952091 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature