Mutations in the Hemagglutinin Stalk Domain Do Not Permit Escape from a Protective, Stalk-Based Vaccine-Induced Immune Response in the Mouse Model.

ABSTRACT: Current seasonal influenza virus vaccines target regions of the hemagglutinin (HA) head domain that undergo constant antigenic change, forcing the painstaking annual reformulation of vaccines. The development of broadly protective or universal influenza virus vaccines that induce cross-reactive, protective immune responses could circumvent the need to reformulate current seasonal vaccines. Many of these vaccine candidates target the HA stalk domain, which displays epitopes conserved within and across influenza virus subtypes, including those with pandemic potential. While HA head-mediated antigenic drift is well understood, the potential for antigenic drift in the stalk domain is understudied. Using a panel of HA stalk-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), we applied selection pressure to

SUBMITTER: Roubidoux EK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8545130 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature