BACKGROUND: The new emerging avian influenza A H7N9 virus, causing severe human infection with a mortality rate of around 41%. This study aims to provide a novel treatment option for the prevention and control of H7N9. METHODS: H7 hemagglutinin (HA)-specific B cells were isolated from peripheral blood plasma cells of the patients previously infected by H7N9 in Jiangsu Province, China. The human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were generated by amplification and cloning of these HA-specific B cells. First, all human mAbs were screened for binding activity by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Then, those mAbs, exhibiting potent affinity to recognize H7 HAs were further evaluated by hemagglutination-inhibiting (HAI) and microneutralization in vitro assays. Finally, the lead mAb candidate was selected and tested against the lethal challenge of the H7N9 virus using murine models. RESULTS: The mAb 6-137 was able to recognize a panel of H7 HAs with high affinity but not HA of other subtypes, including H1N1 and H3N2. The mAb 6-137 can efficiently inhibit the HA activity in the inactivated H7N9 virus and neutralize 100 tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50) of H7N9 virus (influenza A/Nanjing/1/2013) in vitro, with neutralizing activity as low as 78 ng/mL. In addition, the mAb 6-137 protected the mice against the lethal challenge of H7N9 prophylactically and therapeutically. CONCLUSION The mAb 6-137 could be an effective antibody as a prophylactic or therapeutic biological treatment for the H7N9 exposure or infection.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use* ; Antibodies, Neutralizing/therapeutic use* ; Antibodies, Viral ; Hemagglutinins ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza in Birds ; Influenza, Human/prevention & control* ; Mice

The conserved hemagglutinin (HA) stem region of avian influenza virus (AIV) is an important target for designing broad-spectrum vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and diagnostic reagents. Previously, we obtained a monoclonal antibody (mAb) (5D3-1B5) which was reactive with the HA stem epitope (aa 428-452) of H7N9 subtype AIV. To systematically characterize the mAb, we determined the antibody titers, including the HA-binding IgG, hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) and virus neutralizing (VN) titers. In addition, the antigenic epitope recognized by the antibody as well as the sequence and structure of the antibody variable region (VR) were also determined. Moreover, we evaluated the cross-reactivity of the antibody with influenza virus strains of different subtypes. The results showed that the 5D3-1B5 antibody had undetectable HI and VN activities against H7N9 virus, whereas it exhibited strong reactivity with the HA protein. Using the peptide-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and biopanning with a phage-displayed random peptide library, a motif with the core sequence (⁴³¹W-⁴³³Y-⁴³⁷L) in the C-helix domain in the HA stem was identified as the epitope recognized by 5D3-1B5. Moreover, the mAb failed to react with the mutant H7N9 virus which contains mutations in the epitope. The VR of the antibody was sequenced and the complementarity determining regions in the VR of the light and heavy chains were determined. Structural modeling and molecular docking analysis of the VR verified specific binding between the antibody and the C-helix domain of the HA stem. Notably, 5D3-1B5 showed a broad cross-reactivity with influenza virus strains of different subtypes belonging to groups 1 and 2. In conclusion, 5D3-1B5 antibody is a promising candidate in terms of the development of broad-spectrum virus diagnostic reagents and therapeutic antibodies. Our findings also provided new information for understanding the epitope characteristics of the HA protein of H7N9 subtype AIV.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Antibodies, Viral ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/genetics* ; Hemagglutinins ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; Influenza in Birds ; Molecular Docking Simulation

Influenza B virus is one of the causes for seasonal influenza, which can account for serious illness or even death in some cases. We tested the expression of extracellular domain of hemagglutinin (HA-ecto) of influenza B viruses in mammalian cells, and then determined the immunogenicity of HA-ecto in mice. The gene sequence encoding influenza B virus HA-ecto, foldon sequence, and HIS tag was optimized and inserted into pCAGGS vector. The opening reading frame (ORF) of neuraminidase was also cloned into pCAGGS. The pCAGGS-HA-ecto and pCAGGS-NA were co-transfected into 293T cells using linear polyethylenimine. Cell supernatant after transfection was collected after 96 h, and the secreted trimmeric HA-ecto protein was purified by nickel ion affinity chromatography and size exclusion chromatography. Subsequently, the mice were immunized with HA-ecto protein, and the corresponding antibody titers were detected by ELISA and hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assays. The results showed that soluble trimeric HA-ecto protein could be obtained using mammalian cell expression system. Moreover, trimeric HA-ecto protein, in combination with the adjuvant, induced high levels of ELISA and HAI antibodies against homogenous and heterologous antigens in mice. Thus, the soluble HA-ecto protein expressed in mammalian cells could be used as a recombinant subunit vaccine candidate for influenza B virus.
Animals ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/genetics* ; Hemagglutinins/genetics* ; Influenza B virus/metabolism* ; Influenza Vaccines/genetics* ; Mammals/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Influenza B virus (IBV) is more likely to cause complications than influenza A virus (IAV) and even causes higher disease burden than IAV in a certain season, but IBV has received less attention. In order to analyze the genetic evolution characteristics of the clinical strain IBV (B/Guangxi-Jiangzhou/1352/2018), we constructed genetic evolution trees and analyzed the homology and different amino acids of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase referring to the vaccine strains recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). We found that strain B/Guangxi-Jiangzhou/1352/2018 was free of interlineage reassortment and poorly matched with the vaccine strain B/Colorado/06/2017 of the same year. We also determined the median lethal dose (LD₅₀) and the pathogenicity of strain B/Guangxi-Jiangzhou/1352/2018 in mice. The results showed that the LD₅₀ was 10^5.9 TCID₅₀ (median tissue culture infective dose), the IBV titer in the lungs reached peak 1 d post infection and the mRNA level of the most of inflammatory cytokines in the lungs reached peak 12 h post infection. The alveoli in the lungs were severely damaged and a large number of inflammatory cells were infiltrated post infection. The study demonstrated that the clinical strain IBV (B/Guangxi-Jiangzhou/1352/2018) could infect mice and induce typical lung inflammation. This will facilitate the research on the pathogenesis and transmission mechanism of IBV, and provide an ideal animal model for evaluation of new vaccines, antiviral and anti-inflammatory drug.
Amino Acids/genetics* ; Animals ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology* ; China ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Hemagglutinins/metabolism* ; Humans ; Influenza B virus/pathogenicity* ; Influenza, Human/virology* ; Mice ; Neuraminidase/genetics* ; Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology* ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Virulence/genetics*

The purpose was to discuss the infection status of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV-3) in children with acute respiratory tract infection(ARTI) in Qingdao, Shandong province, and to analyze the gene characteristics of HPIV-3 hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein (HN). This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 1 674 throat swab samples were collected randomly from children with ARTI, in the three hospitals (Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, West Coast Branch of Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Laoshan Branch of Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University) from January 2018 to December 2019. Multiplex real-time fluorescence RT-PCR was performed to screen HPIV-3 positive specimens. For HPIV-3 positive specimens, nested PCR was used to amplify the full-length HN gene of HPIV-3. The HN gene was sequenced and compared with the representative strains of HPIV-3 in GenBank, and the phylogenetic tree was established. As results, this study collected 1 674 samples, in which there were 90 HPIV-3 positive samples showed and the detection rate was 5.37%. Among positive specimens, the number of samples from children under 6 years old was 88, accounting for 97.78%. HPIV-3 positive cases were mainly distributed in spring and summer. The full-length sequences of 44 HPIV-3 HN genes were obtained by nested PCR method. Sequence alignment and evolutionary analysis showed that the HPIV-3HN gene belonged to the C3a and C3b branches of C3 genotype, with 30 strains of subtype C3a and 14 strains of subtype C3b. The nucleotide and amino acid homology of the amplified 44 strains of the HPIV-3 HN gene in Qingdao were 97.0%-100.0% and 98.5%-100.0%, respectively. In conclusion, from 2018 to 2019, the C3a and C3b branches of HPIV-3 C3 genotype were circulating prevalent in Qingdao, Shandong province. HN gene variation rate was low, but showed certain regional characteristics in evolution.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hemagglutinins ; Humans ; Neuraminidase ; Parainfluenza Virus 3, Human/genetics* ; Phylogeny ; Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology* ; Viral Proteins

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line ; Chickens ; Eggs ; Erythrocytes ; Guinea Pigs ; Hand ; Hemagglutination ; Hemagglutinins ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human ; Neuraminidase ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Ovum ; Sequence Analysis ; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms

PURPOSE: There is no standard method for confirming the immunogenicity of acellular pertussis vaccines. We tried to develop a local standard method for evaluating the immunogenicity of the three-component of acellular pertussis vaccines which was developed by a Korean local company. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The developed pertussis antigens (pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin) were evaluated by in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using 189 negative sera, 25 positive sera, and 73 paired sera (pre- and post-Tdap [tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis] vaccinated sera). ELISA units were calculated by the reference line method, compared with World Health Organization reference sera, and the cut-off value was calculated using negative sera. RESULTS: When compared to National Institute for Biological Standards and Control control antigen (NIBSC) control antigens, the developed pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) antigens were 203.48 and 61.60 IU/µg, respectively. Each in-house ELISA was established by validating the coefficients of variation % (PT, 11.53%; FHA, 8.60%; pertactin [PRN], 9.86%) obtained from the results of inter- and intra-assay variation. Also, the cut-off values of PT, FHA, and PRN were 11.65, 38.95, and 5.66 EU/mL, respectively. The distributions of antibody levels in paired showed that 93.15% (68/73) in anti-PT IgG, 97.26% (72/73) in anti-FHA IgG, and 100% in anti-PRN IgG were higher than a 100% increase after vaccination. Additionally, the values of 89.04% (65/73) in anti-PT IgG, 97.26% (72/73) in anti-FHA IgG, and 100% in anti-PRN IgG were below each cut-off point. CONCLUSION: We established an in-house ELISA method using self-developed antigens, and these immunoassays have provided a way to standardize measuring the immunogenicity of newly developed vaccines, through single- and dual-serology.
Diphtheria ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hemagglutinins ; Immunoassay ; Immunoglobulin G ; Korea* ; Methods* ; Pertussis Toxin ; Pertussis Vaccine ; Vaccination ; Vaccines* ; Whooping Cough* ; World Health Organization

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare immunogenicities and reactogenicities of the trivalent inactivated subunit influenza vaccine and split influenza vaccine in Korean children and adolescents.METHODS: In total, 202 healthy children aged 36 months to <18 years were enrolled at six hospitals in Korea from October to December 2008. The subjects were vaccinated with either the split or subunit influenza vaccine. The hemagglutinin inhibition antibody titers against the H1N1, H3N2, and B virus strains were measured, and the seroconversion rates, seroprotection rates, and geometric mean titers were calculated. All subjects were observed for local and systemic reactions.RESULTS: Both the split and subunit vaccine groups had similar seroprotection rates against all strains (95.9%, 94.9%, 96.9% vs. 96.0%, 90.9%, and 87.9%). In children aged 36 to <72 months, the seroprotection rates were similar between the two vaccine groups. In children aged 72 months to <18 years, both vaccines showed high seroprotection rates against the H1N1, H3N2, and B strain (98.4%, 98.4%, 98.4% vs. 97.0%, 95.5%, and 91.0%), but showed relatively low seroconversion rates (39.1%, 73.4%, 35.9% vs. 34.3%, 55.2%, and 38.8%). There were more local and systemic reactions in the split vaccine group than in the subunit vaccine group; however, no serious adverse reactions were observed in both groups.CONCLUSIONS: Both the split and subunit vaccines showed acceptable immunogenicity in all age groups. There were no serious adverse events with both vaccines.
Adolescent ; Child ; Hemagglutinins ; Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human ; Korea ; Seasons ; Seroconversion ; Vaccines ; Vaccines, Subunit

PURPOSE: Canine influenza virus (CIV), H3N2, carries potentiality for zoonotic transmission and genetic assortment which raises a concern on possible epidemics, and human threats in future. To manage possible threats, the development of rapid and effective methods of CIV vaccine production is required. The plant provides economical, safe, and robust production platform. We investigated whether hemagglutinin (HA) antigen from Korea-originated CIV could be produced in Nicotiana benthamiana and lettuce, Lactuca sativa by a DNA viral vector system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used DNA sequences of the HA gene from Korean CIV strain influenza A/canine/Korea/S3001/2015 (H3N2) for cloning into a geminiviral expression vectors to express recombinant HA (rHA) antigen in the plant. Agrobacterium-mediated infiltration was performed to introduce HA-carrying vector into host plants cells. Laboratory-grown N. benthamiana, and grocery-purchased or hydroponically-grown lettuce plant leaves were used as host plants. RESULTS: CIV rHA antigen was successfully expressed in host plant species both N. benthamiana and L. sativa by geminiviral vector. Both complex-glycosylated and basal-glycosylated form of rHA were produced in lettuce, depending on presence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal. In terms of rHA expression level, canine HA (H3N2) showed preference to the native signal peptide than ER retention signal peptide in the tested geminiviral vector system. CONCLUSION: Grocery-purchased lettuce leaves could serve as an instant host system for the transient expression of influenza antigen at the time of emergency. The geminiviral vector was able to induce expression of complex-glycosylated and basal-glycosylated rHA in lettuce and tobacco.
Base Sequence ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; DNA ; Emergencies ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Hemagglutinins ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; Lettuce ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Plant Leaves ; Plants ; Protein Sorting Signals ; Tobacco

BACKGROUND: This study examined the outcomes of ABO incompatible living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The changes in the immunologic factors that might help predict the long term outcomes were also studied. METHODS: Twenty-three patients, who underwent ABO incompatible LDLT from 2010 to 2015, were reviewed retrospectively. The protocol was the same as for ABO compatible LDLT except for the administration of rituximab and plasma exchange. The clinical outcomes and immunologic factors, such as isoagglutinin titer and cluster of differentiation 20+ (CD20+) lymphocyte levels were reviewed. RESULTS: The center showed a 3-year survival of 64% with no case of antibody-mediated rejection. When transplantation-unrelated mortalities (for example, traffic accidents and myocardial infarction) were removed from statistical analysis, the 3-year survival was 77.8%. Although isoagglutinin titers continued to remain at low levels, the CD20+ lymphocyte levels recovered to the pre-Rituximab levels at postoperative one year. CONCLUSIONS: As donor shortages continue, ABO incompatible liver transplantation is a feasible method to expand the donor pool. On the other hand, caution is still needed until more long-term outcomes are reported. Because CD20+ lymphocytes are recovered with time, more immunologic studies will be needed in the future.
ABO Blood-Group System ; Accidents, Traffic ; B-Lymphocytes ; Hand ; Hemagglutinins ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Living Donors* ; Lymphocytes ; Methods ; Mortality ; Plasma Exchange ; Retrospective Studies ; Rituximab ; Tissue Donors