Antibodies directed towards neuraminidase restrict influenza virus replication in primary human bronchial epithelial cells

PLoS One. 2022 Jan 31;17(1):e0262873. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262873. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Influenza neuraminidase (NA) is implicated in various aspects of the virus replication cycle and therefore is an attractive target for vaccination and antiviral strategies. Here we investigated the potential for NA-specific antibodies to interfere with A(H1N1)pdm09 replication in primary human airway epithelial (HAE) cells. Mouse polyclonal anti-NA sera and a monoclonal antibody could block initial viral entry into HAE cells as well as egress from the cell surface. NA-specific polyclonal serum also reduced virus replication across multiple rounds of infection. Restriction of virus entry correlated with the ability of the serum or monoclonal antibody to mediate neuraminidase inhibition (NI). Finally, human sera with NI activity against the N1 of A(H1N1)pdm09 could decrease H6N1 virus infection of HAE cells, highlighting the potential contribution of anti-NA antibodies in the control of influenza virus infection in humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Cell Line
  • Epithelial Cells* / immunology
  • Epithelial Cells* / virology
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / physiology*
  • Influenza, Human / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Neuraminidase / immunology*
  • Respiratory Mucosa* / immunology
  • Respiratory Mucosa* / virology
  • Viral Proteins / immunology*
  • Virus Replication / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Viral Proteins
  • NA protein, influenza A virus
  • Neuraminidase

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Sanofi Pasteur.