Cross-protective antibody responses against influenza virus infection

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K19167
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Immunology
• Research Institution: National Institute of Infectious Diseases
• Principal Investigator: Adachi Yu 国立感染症研究所, 免疫部, 主任研究官 (40749016)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: インフルエンザ / B細胞 / 交差防御抗体 / インフルエンザワクチン / 免疫学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We previously found that cross-reactive B cells were highly selected in lung germinal centers (GCs) following influenza virus infection. In this study, we identified that an occluded epitope in hemagglutinin (HA) stem region for lung cross-reactive GC B cells. This epitope is occluded in native trimeric HA structure, but is exposed in post-fusion HA structure to occur under low-pH during viral replication. Furthermore, immunization by post-fusion HA antigen induces a class of protective antibody which have broad specificity.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で見出した交差防御抗体は、ヒト記憶B細胞にも存在することからユニバーサルワクチンの新たな標的抗体になると考えられる。さらに、この交差防御抗体を選択可能な構造改変型ワクチン剤形は、現行ワクチンから簡便に作製可能であり、新規ユニバーサルワクチン剤形となることが期待される。