Combinatorial antibody libraries from survivors of the Turkish H5N1 avian influenza outbreak reveal virus neutralization strategies

AK Kashyap, J Steel, AF Oner… - Proceedings of the …, 2008 - National Acad Sciences
AK Kashyap, J Steel, AF Oner, MA Dillon, RE Swale, KM Wall, KJ Perry, A Faynboym…
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2008National Acad Sciences
The widespread incidence of H5N1 influenza viruses in bird populations poses risks to
human health. Although the virus has not yet adapted for facile transmission between
humans, it can cause severe disease and often death. Here we report the generation of
combinatorial antibody libraries from the bone marrow of five survivors of the recent H5N1
avian influenza outbreak in Turkey. To date, these libraries have yielded> 300 unique
antibodies against H5N1 viral antigens. Among these antibodies, we have identified several …
The widespread incidence of H5N1 influenza viruses in bird populations poses risks to human health. Although the virus has not yet adapted for facile transmission between humans, it can cause severe disease and often death. Here we report the generation of combinatorial antibody libraries from the bone marrow of five survivors of the recent H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in Turkey. To date, these libraries have yielded >300 unique antibodies against H5N1 viral antigens. Among these antibodies, we have identified several broadly reactive neutralizing antibodies that could be used for passive immunization against H5N1 virus or as guides for vaccine design. The large number of antibodies obtained from these survivors provide a detailed immunochemical analysis of individual human solutions to virus neutralization in the setting of an actual virulent influenza outbreak. Remarkably, three of these antibodies neutralized both H1 and H5 subtype influenza viruses.
National Acad Sciences