Glycan repositioning of influenza hemagglutinin stem facilitates the elicitation of protective cross-group antibody responses.

ABSTRACT: The conserved hemagglutinin (HA) stem has been a focus of universal influenza vaccine efforts. Influenza A group 1 HA stem-nanoparticles have been demonstrated to confer heterosubtypic protection in animals; however, the protection does not extend to group 2 viruses, due in part to differences in glycosylation between group 1 and 2 stems. Here, we show that introducing the group 2 glycan at Asn38_HA1 to a group 1 stem-nanoparticle (gN38 variant) based on A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1) broadens antibody responses to cross-react with group 2 HAs. Immunoglobulins elicited by the gN38 variant provide complete protection against group 2 H7N9 virus infection, while the variant loses protection against a group 1 H5N1 virus. The N38_HA1 glycan thus is pivotal in directing antibod

SUBMITTER: Boyoglu-Barnum S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7005838 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature