Isolation of human antibodies against influenza B neuraminidase and mechanisms of protection at the airway interface.

Influenza B viruses (IBVs) comprise a substantial portion of the circulating seasonal human influenza viruses. Here, we describe the isolation of human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that recognized the IBV neuraminidase (NA) glycoprotein from an individual following seasonal vaccination. Competition-binding experiments suggested the antibodies recognized two major antigenic sites. One group, which included mAb FluB-393, broadly inhibited IBV NA sialidase activity, protected prophylactically in vivo, and bound to the lateral corner of NA. The second group contained an active site mAb, FluB-400, that broadly inhibited IBV NA sialidase activity and virus replication in vitro in primary human respiratory epithelial cell cultures and protected against IBV in vivo when administered systemically or intranasally. Overall, the findings described here shape our mechanistic understanding of the human immune response to the IBV NA glycoprotein through the demonstration of two mAb delivery routes for protection against IBV and the identification of potential IBV therapeutic candidates.

Computationally restoring the potency of a clinical antibody against Omicron.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the promise of monoclonal antibody-based prophylactic and therapeutic drugs1-3 and revealed how quickly viral escape can curtail effective options4,5. When the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant emerged in 2021, many antibody drug products lost potency, including Evusheld and its constituent, cilgavimab4-6. Cilgavimab, like its progenitor COV2-2130, is a class 3 antibody that is compatible with other antibodies in combination4 and is challenging to replace with existing approaches. Rapidly modifying such high-value antibodies to restore efficacy against emerging variants is a compelling mitigation strategy. We sought to redesign and renew the efficacy of COV2-2130 against Omicron BA.1 and BA.1.1 strains while maintaining efficacy against the dominant Delta variant. Here we show that our computationally redesigned antibody, 2130-1-0114-112, achieves this objective, simultaneously increases neutralization potency against Delta and subsequent variants of concern, and provides protection in vivo against the strains tested: WA1/2020, BA.1.1 and BA.5. Deep mutational scanning of tens of thousands of pseudovirus variants reveals that 2130-1-0114-112 improves broad potency without increasing escape liabilities. Our results suggest that computational approaches can optimize an antibody to target multiple escape variants, while simultaneously enriching potency. Our computational approach does not require experimental iterations or pre-existing binding data, thus enabling rapid response strategies to address escape variants or lessen escape vulnerabilities.

Multifunctional human monoclonal antibody combination mediates protection against Rift Valley fever virus at low doses.

The zoonotic Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) can cause severe disease in humans and has pandemic potential, yet no approved vaccine or therapy exists. Here we describe a dual-mechanism human monoclonal antibody (mAb) combination against RVFV that is effective at minimal doses in a lethal mouse model of infection. We structurally analyze and characterize the binding mode of a prototypical potent Gn domain-A-binding antibody that blocks attachment and of an antibody that inhibits infection by abrogating the fusion process as previously determined. Surprisingly, the Gn domain-A antibody does not directly block RVFV Gn interaction with the host receptor low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) as determined by a competitive assay. This study identifies a rationally designed combination of human mAbs deserving of future investigation for use in humans against RVFV infection. Using a two-pronged mechanistic approach, we demonstrate the potent efficacy of a rationally designed combination mAb therapeutic.

Potent cross-neutralization of respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus through a structurally conserved antibody recognition mode.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infections pose a significant health burden. Using pre-fusion conformation fusion (F) proteins, we isolated a panel of anti-F antibodies from a human donor. One antibody (RSV-199) potently cross-neutralized 8 RSV and hMPV strains by recognizing antigenic site III, which is partially conserved in RSV and hMPV F. Next, we determined the cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of RSV-199 bound to RSV F trimers, hMPV F monomers, and an unexpected dimeric form of hMPV F. These structures revealed how RSV-199 engages both RSV and hMPV F proteins through conserved interactions of the antibody heavy-chain variable region and how variability within heavy-chain complementarity-determining region 3 (HCDR3) can be accommodated at the F protein interface in site-III-directed antibodies. Furthermore, RSV-199 offered enhanced protection against RSV A and B strains and hMPV in cotton rats. These findings highlight the mechanisms of broad neutralization and therapeutic potential of RSV-199.

A highly potent human neutralizing antibody prevents vertical transmission of Rift Valley fever virus in a rat model.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an emerging mosquito-transmitted virus that circulates in livestock and humans in Africa and the Middle East. Outbreaks lead to high rates of miscarriages in domesticated livestock. Women are also at risk of vertical virus transmission and late-term miscarriages. MAb RVFV-268 is a highly potent recombinant neutralizing human monoclonal antibody that targets RVFV. Here we show that mAb RVFV-268 reduces viral replication in rat placenta explant cultures and prevents vertical transmission in a rat model of congenital RVF. Passive transfer of mAb RVFV-268 from mother to fetus occurs as early as 6 h after administration and persists through 24 h. Administering mAb RVFV-268 2 h prior to RVFV challenge or 24 h post-challenge protects the dams and offspring from RVFV infection. These findings support mAb RVFV-268 as a pre- and post-infection treatment to subvert RVFV infection and vertical transmission, thus protecting the mother and offspring.

Mechanistic basis for potent neutralization of Sin Nombre hantavirus by a human monoclonal antibody.

Rodent-borne hantaviruses are prevalent worldwide and upon spillover to human populations, cause severe disease for which no specific treatment is available. A potent antibody response is key for recovery from hantavirus infection. Here we study a highly neutralizing human monoclonal antibody, termed SNV-42, which was derived from a memory B cell isolated from an individual with previous Sin Nombre virus (SNV) infection. Crystallographic analysis demonstrates that SNV-42 targets the Gn subcomponent of the tetrameric (Gn-Gc)4 glycoprotein assembly that is relevant for viral entry. Integration of our 1.8 Å structure with the (Gn-Gc)4 ultrastructure arrangement indicates that SNV-42 targets the membrane-distal region of the virus envelope. Comparison of the SNV-42 paratope encoding variable genes with inferred germline gene segments reveals high sequence conservation, suggesting that germline-encoded antibodies inhibit SNV. Furthermore, mechanistic assays reveal that SNV-42 interferes with both receptor recognition and fusion during host-cell entry. This work provides a molecular-level blueprint for understanding the human neutralizing antibody response to hantavirus infection.

Antigenic mapping and functional characterization of human New World hantavirus neutralizing antibodies.

Hantaviruses are high-priority emerging pathogens carried by rodents and transmitted to humans by aerosolized excreta or, in rare cases, person-to-person contact. While infections in humans are relatively rare, mortality rates range from 1 to 40% depending on the hantavirus species. There are currently no FDA-approved vaccines or therapeutics for hantaviruses, and the only treatment for infection is supportive care for respiratory or kidney failure. Additionally, the human humoral immune response to hantavirus infection is incompletely understood, especially the location of major antigenic sites on the viral glycoproteins and conserved neutralizing epitopes. Here, we report antigenic mapping and functional characterization for four neutralizing hantavirus antibodies. The broadly neutralizing antibody SNV-53 targets an interface between Gn/Gc, neutralizes through fusion inhibition and cross-protects against the Old World hantavirus species Hantaan virus when administered pre- or post-exposure. Another broad antibody, SNV-24, also neutralizes through fusion inhibition but targets domain I of Gc and demonstrates weak neutralizing activity to authentic hantaviruses. ANDV-specific, neutralizing antibodies (ANDV-5 and ANDV-34) neutralize through attachment blocking and protect against hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) in animals but target two different antigenic faces on the head domain of Gn. Determining the antigenic sites for neutralizing antibodies will contribute to further therapeutic development for hantavirus-related diseases and inform the design of new broadly protective hantavirus vaccines.

Computationally restoring the potency of a clinical antibody against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the promise of monoclonal antibody-based prophylactic and therapeutic drugs1-3, but also revealed how quickly viral escape can curtail effective options4,5. With the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in late 2021, many clinically used antibody drug products lost potency, including Evusheld™ and its constituent, cilgavimab4,6. Cilgavimab, like its progenitor COV2-2130, is a class 3 antibody that is compatible with other antibodies in combination4 and is challenging to replace with existing approaches. Rapidly modifying such high-value antibodies with a known clinical profile to restore efficacy against emerging variants is a compelling mitigation strategy. We sought to redesign COV2-2130 to rescue in vivo efficacy against Omicron BA.1 and BA.1.1 strains while maintaining efficacy against the contemporaneously dominant Delta variant. Here we show that our computationally redesigned antibody, 2130-1-0114-112, achieves this objective, simultaneously increases neutralization potency against Delta and many variants of concern that subsequently emerged, and provides protection in vivo against the strains tested, WA1/2020, BA.1.1, and BA.5. Deep mutational scanning of tens of thousands pseudovirus variants reveals 2130-1-0114-112 improves broad potency without incurring additional escape liabilities. Our results suggest that computational approaches can optimize an antibody to target multiple escape variants, while simultaneously enriching potency. Because our approach is computationally driven, not requiring experimental iterations or pre-existing binding data, it could enable rapid response strategies to address escape variants or pre-emptively mitigate escape vulnerabilities.

Human Monoclonal Antibodies to Escherichia coli Outer Membrane Protein A Porin Domain Cause Aggregation but Do Not Alter In Vivo Bacterial Burdens in a Murine Sepsis Model.

Escherichia coli is one of the most frequent human pathogens, increasingly exhibits antimicrobial resistance, and has complex interactions with the host immune system. E. coli exposure or infection can result in the generation of antibodies specific for outer membrane protein A (OmpA), a multifunctional porin. We identified four OmpA-specific naturally occurring antibodies from healthy human donor B cells and assessed their interactions with E. coli and OmpA. These antibodies are highly specific for OmpA, exhibiting no cross-reactivity to a strain lacking ompA and retaining binding to both laboratory and clinical isolates of E. coli in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence assays. One monoclonal antibody (Mab), designated ECOL-11, is specific for the extracellular N-terminal porin domain of OmpA and induces growth phase-specific bacterial aggregation. This aggregation is not induced by the fragment antigen binding (Fab) form of the MAb, suggesting the importance of bivalency for this aggregating activity. ECOL-11 decreases adhesion and phagocytosis of E. coli by RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells, possibly by inhibiting the adhesion functions of OmpA. Despite this in vitro phenotype, organ E. coli burdens were not altered by antibody prophylaxis in a murine model of lethal E. coli septic shock. Our findings support the importance of OmpA at the host-pathogen interface and begin to explore the implications and utility of E. coli-specific antibodies in human hosts.

An antibody targeting the N-terminal domain of SARS-CoV-2 disrupts the spike trimer.

The protective human antibody response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) focuses on the spike (S) protein, which decorates the virion surface and mediates cell binding and entry. Most SARS-CoV-2 protective antibodies target the receptor-binding domain or a single dominant epitope ("supersite") on the N-terminal domain (NTD). Using the single B cell technology called linking B cell receptor to antigen specificity through sequencing (LIBRA-Seq), we isolated a large panel of NTD-reactive and SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies from an individual who had recovered from COVID-19. We found that neutralizing antibodies against the NTD supersite were commonly encoded by the IGHV1-24 gene, forming a genetic cluster representing a public B cell clonotype. However, we also discovered a rare human antibody, COV2-3434, that recognizes a site of vulnerability on the SARS-CoV-2 S protein in the trimer interface (TI) and possesses a distinct class of functional activity. COV2-3434 disrupted the integrity of S protein trimers, inhibited the cell-to-cell spread of the virus in culture, and conferred protection in human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-transgenic (ACE2-transgenic) mice against the SARS-CoV-2 challenge. This study provides insight into antibody targeting of the S protein TI region, suggesting this region may be a site of virus vulnerability.