scholarly journals A small-molecule fragment that emulates binding of receptor and broadly neutralizing antibodies to influenza A hemagglutinin

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (16) ◽  
pp. 4240-4245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rameshwar U. Kadam ◽  
Ian A. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Binding Mode ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Viral Pathogen ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

The influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein mediates receptor binding and membrane fusion during viral entry in host cells. Blocking these key steps in viral infection has applications for development of novel antiinfluenza therapeutics as well as vaccines. However, the lack of structural information on how small molecules can gain a foothold in the small, shallow receptor-binding site (RBS) has hindered drug design against this important target on the viral pathogen. Here, we report on the serendipitous crystallization-based discovery of a small-molecule N-cyclohexyltaurine, commonly known as the buffering agent CHES, that is able to bind to both group-1 and group-2 HAs of influenza A viruses. X-ray structural characterization of group-1 H5N1 A/Vietnam/1203/2004 (H5/Viet) and group-2 H3N2 A/Hong Kong/1/1968 (H3/HK68) HAs at 2.0-Å and 2.57-Å resolution, respectively, revealed that N-cyclohexyltaurine binds to the heart of the conserved HA RBS. N-cyclohexyltaurine mimics the binding mode of the natural receptor sialic acid and RBS-targeting bnAbs through formation of similar hydrogen bonds and CH-π interactions with the HA. In H3/HK68, N-cyclohexyltaurine also binds to a conserved pocket in the stem region, thereby exhibiting a dual-binding mode in group-2 HAs. These long-awaited structural insights into RBS recognition by a noncarbohydrate-based small molecule enhance our knowledge of how to target this important functional site and can serve as a template to guide the development of novel broad-spectrum small-molecule therapeutics against influenza virus.

scholarly journals An influenza A hemagglutinin small-molecule fusion inhibitor identified by a new high-throughput fluorescence polarization screen

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (31) ◽  
pp. 18431-18438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Yao ◽  
Rameshwar U. Kadam ◽  
Chang-Chun David Lee ◽  
Jordan L. Woehl ◽  
Nicholas C. Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecule ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Fluorescence Polarization ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Cyclic Peptide ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Vitro Assay ◽  
Group 1

Influenza hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein is the primary surface antigen targeted by the host immune response and a focus for development of novel vaccines, broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs), and therapeutics. HA enables viral entry into host cells via receptor binding and membrane fusion and is a validated target for drug discovery. However, to date, only a very few bona fide small molecules have been reported against the HA. To identity new antiviral lead candidates against the highly conserved fusion machinery in the HA stem, we synthesized a fluorescence-polarization probe based on a recently described neutralizing cyclic peptide P7 derived from the complementarity-determining region loops of human bnAbs FI6v3 and CR9114 against the HA stem. We then designed a robust binding assay compatible with high-throughput screening to identify molecules with low micromolar to nanomolar affinity to influenza A group 1 HAs. Our simple, low-cost, and efficient in vitro assay was used to screen H1/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1/PR8) HA trimer against ∼72,000 compounds. The crystal structure of H1/PR8 HA in complex with our best hit compound F0045(S) confirmed that it binds to pockets in the HA stem similar to bnAbs FI6v3 and CR9114, cyclic peptide P7, and small-molecule inhibitor JNJ4796. F0045 is enantioselective against a panel of group 1 HAs and F0045(S) exhibits in vitro neutralization activity against multiple H1N1 and H5N1 strains. Our assay, compound characterization, and small-molecule candidate should further stimulate the discovery and development of new compounds with unique chemical scaffolds and enhanced influenza antiviral capabilities.

scholarly journals A Host-Restricted Self-Attenuated Influenza Virus Provides Broad Pan-Influenza A Protection in a Mouse Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minjin Kim ◽  
Yucheol Cheong ◽  
Jinhee Lee ◽  
Jongkwan Lim ◽  
Sanguine Byun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Cross Protection ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Group 1

Influenza virus infections can cause a broad range of symptoms, form mild respiratory problems to severe and fatal complications. While influenza virus poses a global health threat, the frequent antigenic change often significantly compromises the protective efficacy of seasonal vaccines, further increasing the vulnerability to viral infection. Therefore, it is in great need to employ strategies for the development of universal influenza vaccines (UIVs) which can elicit broad protection against diverse influenza viruses. Using a mouse infection model, we examined the breadth of protection of the caspase-triggered live attenuated influenza vaccine (ctLAIV), which was self-attenuated by the host caspase-dependent cleavage of internal viral proteins. A single vaccination in mice induced a broad reactive antibody response against four different influenza viruses, H1 and rH5 (HA group 1) and H3 and rH7 subtypes (HA group 2). Notably, despite the lack of detectable neutralizing antibodies, the vaccination provided heterosubtypic protection against the lethal challenge with the viruses. Sterile protection was confirmed by the complete absence of viral titers in the lungs and nasal turbinates after the challenge. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activities of non-neutralizing antibodies contributed to cross-protection. The cross-protection remained robust even after in vivo depletion of T cells or NK cells, reflecting the strength and breadth of the antibody-dependent effector function. The robust mucosal secretion of sIgA reflects an additional level of cross-protection. Our data show that the host-restricted designer vaccine serves an option for developing a UIV, providing pan-influenza A protection against both group 1 and 2 influenza viruses. The present results of potency and breadth of protection from wild type and reassortant viruses addressed in the mouse model by single immunization merits further confirmation and validation, preferably in clinically relevant ferret models with wild type challenges.

scholarly journals Epitope specificity plays a critical role in regulating antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against influenza A virus

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (42) ◽  
pp. 11931-11936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenqian He ◽  
Gene S. Tan ◽  
Caitlin E. Mullarkey ◽  
Amanda J. Lee ◽  
Mannie Man Wai Lam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Influenza A Virus ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Viral Glycoprotein ◽  
Effector Functions ◽  
Dependent Cell

The generation of strain-specific neutralizing antibodies against influenza A virus is known to confer potent protection against homologous infections. The majority of these antibodies bind to the hemagglutinin (HA) head domain and function by blocking the receptor binding site, preventing infection of host cells. Recently, elicitation of broadly neutralizing antibodies which target the conserved HA stalk domain has become a promising “universal” influenza virus vaccine strategy. The ability of these antibodies to elicit Fc-dependent effector functions has emerged as an important mechanism through which protection is achieved in vivo. However, the way in which Fc-dependent effector functions are regulated by polyclonal influenza virus-binding antibody mixtures in vivo has never been defined. Here, we demonstrate that interactions among viral glycoprotein-binding antibodies of varying specificities regulate the magnitude of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity induction. We show that the mechanism responsible for this phenotype relies upon competition for binding to HA on the surface of infected cells and virus particles. Nonneutralizing antibodies were poor inducers and did not inhibit antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Interestingly, anti-neuraminidase antibodies weakly induced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and enhanced induction in the presence of HA stalk-binding antibodies in an additive manner. Our data demonstrate that antibody specificity plays an important role in the regulation of ADCC, and that cross-talk among antibodies of varying specificities determines the magnitude of Fc receptor-mediated effector functions.

scholarly journals Design of Nanoparticulate Group 2 Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin Stem Antigens That Activate Unmutated Ancestor B Cell Receptors of Broadly Neutralizing Antibody Lineages

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kizzmekia S. Corbett ◽  
Syed M. Moin ◽  
Hadi M. Yassine ◽  
Alberto Cagigi ◽  
Masaru Kanekiyo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
B Cells ◽  
Influenza A Virus ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Influenza Vaccines ◽  
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Group 2

ABSTRACTInfluenza vaccines targeting the highly conserved stem of the hemagglutinin (HA) surface glycoprotein have the potential to protect against pandemic and drifted seasonal influenza viruses not covered by current vaccines. While HA stem-based immunogens derived from group 1 influenza A viruses have been shown to induce intragroup heterosubtypic protection, HA stem-specific antibody lineages originating from group 2 may be more likely to possess broad cross-group reactivity. We report the structure-guided development of mammalian-cell-expressed candidate vaccine immunogens based on influenza A virus group 2 H3 and H7 HA stem trimers displayed on self-assembling ferritin nanoparticles using an iterative, multipronged approach involving helix stabilization, loop optimization, disulfide bond addition, and side-chain repacking. These immunogens were thermostable, formed uniform and symmetric nanoparticles, were recognized by cross-group-reactive broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) with nanomolar affinity, and elicited protective, homosubtypic antibodies in mice. Importantly, several immunogens were able to activate B cells expressing inferred unmutated common ancestor (UCA) versions of cross-group-reactive human bNAbs from two multidonor classes, suggesting they could initiate elicitation of these bNAbs in humans.IMPORTANCECurrent influenza vaccines are primarily strain specific, requiring annual updates, and offer minimal protection against drifted seasonal or pandemic strains. The highly conserved stem region of hemagglutinin (HA) of group 2 influenza A virus subtypes is a promising target for vaccine elicitation of broad cross-group protection against divergent strains. We used structure-guided protein engineering employing multiple protein stabilization methods simultaneously to develop group 2 HA stem-based candidate influenza A virus immunogens displayed as trimers on self-assembling nanoparticles. Characterization of antigenicity, thermostability, and particle formation confirmed structural integrity. Group 2 HA stem antigen designs were identified that, when displayed on ferritin nanoparticles, activated B cells expressing inferred unmutated common ancestor (UCA) versions of human antibody lineages associated with cross-group-reactive, broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Immunization of mice led to protection against a lethal homosubtypic influenza virus challenge. These candidate vaccines are now being manufactured for clinical evaluation.

scholarly journals An influenza A hemagglutinin small-molecule fusion inhibitor identified by a new high-throughput fluorescence polarization screen

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Yao ◽  
Rameshwar U. Kadam ◽  
Chang-Chun David Lee ◽  
Jordan L. Woehl ◽  
Nicholas C. Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Fluorescence Polarization ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Cyclic Peptide ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Influenza Hemagglutinin ◽  
Group 1

AbstractInfluenza hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein is the primary surface antigen targeted by the host immune response and a focus for development of novel vaccines, broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) and therapeutics. HA enables viral entry into host cells via receptor binding and membrane fusion and is a validated target for drug discovery. However, to date, only a very few bona fide small molecules have been reported against the HA. To identity new antiviral lead candidates against the highly conserved fusion machinery in the HA stem, we synthesized a fluorescence-polarization probe based on a recently described neutralizing cyclic peptide P7 derived from the complementarity-determining region loops of human bnAbs FI6v3 and CR9114 against the HA stem. We then designed a robust binding assay compatible with high-throughput screening to identify molecules with low μM to nM affinity to influenza A group 1 HAs. Our simple, low-cost, and efficient in vitro assay was used to screen H1/Puerto Rico/8/1934 HA trimer against approximately 72,000 compounds. The crystal structure of H1/Puerto Rico/8/1934 HA in complex with our best hit compound F0045(S) confirmed that it binds to pockets in the HA stem similar to bnAbs FI6v3 and CR9114, cyclic peptide P7, and small molecule inhibitor JNJ4796. F0045 is enantioselective against a panel of group 1 HAs and F0045(S) exhibits in vitro neutralization activity against multiple H1N1 and H5N1 strains. Our assay, compound characterization, and small-molecule candidate should further stimulate the discovery and development of new compounds with unique chemical scaffolds and enhanced influenza antiviral capabilities.SummaryInfluenza hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein enables viral entry into host cells and is the main target for antibodies in our immune system. While HA has now been established as a validated target for drug discovery, no FDA-approved small molecules are available that specifically prevent HA from binding host receptors or inhibit its membrane fusion activity and thus prevent infection. We therefore designed a fluorescence polarization probe to enable rapid identification of small molecules that bind to the stem fusion machinery of group 1 HAs. Application of our assay yielded a small molecule to the influenza A group 1 HA stem with antiviral efficacy.

scholarly journals Stereotypic neutralizing VH antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain in COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals

2021 ◽  
pp. eabd6990
Author(s):  
Sang Il Kim ◽  
Jinsung Noh ◽  
Sujeong Kim ◽  
Younggeun Choi ◽  
Duck Kyun Yoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Healthy Individuals

Stereotypic antibody clonotypes exist in healthy individuals and may provide protective immunity against viral infections by neutralization. We observed that 13 out of 17 patients with COVID-19 had stereotypic variable heavy chain (VH) antibody clonotypes directed against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. These antibody clonotypes were comprised of immunoglobulin heavy variable (IGHV)3-53 or IGHV3-66 and immunoglobulin heavy joining (IGHJ)6 genes. These clonotypes included IgM, IgG3, IgG1, IgA1, IgG2, and IgA2 subtypes and had minimal somatic mutations, which suggested swift class switching after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The different immunoglobulin heavy variable chains were paired with diverse light chains resulting in binding to the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Human antibodies specific for the RBD can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 by inhibiting entry into host cells. We observed that one of these stereotypic neutralizing antibodies could inhibit viral replication in vitro using a clinical isolate of SARS-CoV-2. We also found that these VH clonotypes existed in six out of 10 healthy individuals, with IgM isotypes predominating. These findings suggest that stereotypic clonotypes can develop de novo from naïve B cells and not from memory B cells established from prior exposure to similar viruses. The expeditious and stereotypic expansion of these clonotypes may have occurred in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 because they were already present.

A Neutralizing Antibody Selected from Plasma Cells That Binds to Group 1 and Group 2 Influenza A Hemagglutinins

Science ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 333 (6044) ◽  
pp. 850-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Corti ◽  
J. Voss ◽  
S. J. Gamblin ◽  
G. Codoni ◽  
A. Macagno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

scholarly journals Memory B Cells that Cross-React with Group 1 and Group 2 Influenza A Viruses Are Abundant in Adult Human Repertoires

Immunity ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-184.e9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin R. McCarthy ◽  
Akiko Watanabe ◽  
Masayuki Kuraoka ◽  
Khoi T. Do ◽  
Charles E. McGee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Influenza A Viruses ◽  
Adult Human ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Evaluation of Influenza Patients Admitted in 2019–2020 Flu Season

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahar Öztelcan Gündüz ◽  
Erman Ataş ◽  
Bülent Ünay ◽  
Halit Halil
Keyword(s):  
Physical Examination ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Influenza Infection ◽  
Febrile Seizures ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Abstract Objective Influenza viruses are among the most common respiratory pathogens for all age groups, and may cause seasonal outbreaks. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical characteristics of influenza cases in the 2019–2020 flu season and to study the risk factors for hospital admission and complications. Methods This was a retrospective study in 251 children (group 1: nonhospitalized; group 2: hospitalized) with influenza in the 2019–2020 flu season. Data on demographic features, influenza type, complaints, complications, and hospitalization length were collected and recorded. Results Influenza A was detected in 199 (79.3%) patients, and influenza B was detected in 52 (20.7%); 43.4% of patients were girls and 56.6% were boys. The mean age of the patients was 3.91 ± 3.3 years (16 days to 18 years). A total of 52 (20.7%) patients were hospitalized. The age of the patients in group 2 was lower than that in group 1 (3.1 vs. 4.2 years, p = 0.03). Group 2 patients were more likely to have creatine kinase (CK) elevation, febrile seizures, and physical examination abnormalities. Group 2 patients were also more likely to have influenza A. Patients with febrile seizures, chronic diseases, abnormal physical examination findings, developed complications, and additional drug use apart from oseltamivir in the treatment were also more likely to require hospitalization. Conclusion Infants and children with chronic diseases, history of febrile seizures, complications, and the use of drugs other than antiviral drugs should be carefully evaluated in case they need hospitalization. Increasing vaccination rates, initiation of antiviral treatment for selected patients, and close monitoring of patients in risk groups can decrease morbidity and mortality. Myalgias are a common complaint in patients with acute influenza infection. Previous studies suggest CK measurement be part of the work-up for the hospitalized patient with acute influenza infection.

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