Potently neutralizing human mAbs against the zoonotic pararubulavirus Sosuga virus.

Sosuga virus (SOSV) is a recently discovered paramyxovirus with a single known human case of disease. There has been little laboratory research on SOSV pathogenesis or immunity, and no approved therapeutics or vaccines are available. Here, we report the discovery of human mAbs from the circulating memory B cells of the only known human case and survivor of SOSV infection. We isolated 6 mAbs recognizing the functional attachment protein hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and 18 mAbs against the fusion (F) protein. The anti-HN mAbs all targeted the globular head of the HN protein and could be organized into 4 competition-binding groups that exhibited epitope diversity. The anti-F mAbs can be divided into pre- or postfusion conformation-specific categories and further into 8 competition-binding groups. The only Ab in the panel that did not display neutralization activity was the single postfusion-specific anti-F mAb. Most of the anti-HN mAbs were more potently neutralizing than the anti-F mAbs, with mAbs in 1 of the HN competition-binding groups possessing ultrapotent (<1 ng/mL) half-maximal inhibitory virus neutralization values. These findings provide insight into the molecular basis for human Ab recognition of paramyxovirus surface proteins and the mechanisms of SOSV neutralization.

Human VH1-69 Gene-Encoded Human Monoclonal Antibodies against Staphylococcus aureus IsdB Use at Least Three Distinct Modes of Binding To Inhibit Bacterial Growth and Pathogenesis.

Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen that infects nearly every human tissue. Like most organisms, the acquisition of nutrient iron is necessary for its survival. One route by which it obtains this metal is through the iron-regulated surface determinant (Isd) system that scavenges iron from the hemoglobin of the host. We show that the heavy chain variable region IGHV1-69 gene commonly encodes human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting IsdB-NEAT2. Remarkably, these antibodies bind to multiple antigenic sites. One class of IGHV1-69-encoded mAbs blocks S. aureus heme acquisition by binding to the heme-binding site of NEAT2, while two additional classes reduce the bacterial burden in vivo by an alternative Fc receptor-mediated mechanism. We further identified clonal lineages of IGHV1-69-encoded mAbs using donor samples, showing that each lineage diversifies during infection by somatic hypermutation. These studies reveal that IGHV1-69-encoded antibodies contribute to a protective immune response, furthering our understanding of the correlates of protection against S. aureus infection.IMPORTANCE The human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus causes a wide range of infections, including skin abscesses and sepsis. There is currently no licensed vaccine to prevent S. aureus infection, and its treatment has become increasingly difficult due to antibiotic resistance. One potential way to inhibit S. aureus pathogenesis is to prevent iron acquisition. The iron-regulated surface determinant (Isd) system has evolved in S. aureus to acquire hemoglobin from the human host as a source of heme-iron. In this study, we investigated the molecular and structural basis for antibody-mediated correlates against a member of the Isd system, IsdB. The association of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region IGHV1-69 gene-encoded human monoclonal antibodies with the response against S. aureus IsdB is described using structural and functional studies to define the importance of this antibody class. We also determine that somatic hypermutation in the development of these antibodies hinders rather than fine-tunes the immune response to IsdB.

Rotavirus Species B Encodes a Functional Fusion-Associated Small Transmembrane Protein.

Rotavirus is an important cause of diarrheal disease in young mammals. Rotavirus species A (RVA) causes most human rotavirus diarrheal disease and primarily affects infants and young children. Rotavirus species B (RVB) has been associated with sporadic outbreaks of human adult diarrheal disease. RVA and RVB are predicted to encode mostly homologous proteins but differ significantly in the proteins encoded by the NSP1 gene. In the case of RVB, the NSP1 gene encodes two putative protein products of unknown function, NSP1-1 and NSP1-2. We demonstrate that human RVB NSP1-1 mediates syncytium formation in cultured human cells. Based on sequence alignment, NSP1-1 proteins from species B, G, and I contain features consistent with fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) proteins, which have previously been identified in other genera of the Reoviridae family. Like some other FAST proteins, RVB NSP1-1 is predicted to have an N-terminal myristoyl modification. Addition of an N-terminal FLAG peptide disrupts NSP1-1-mediated fusion. NSP1-1 from a human RVB mediates fusion of human cells but not hamster cells and, thus, may serve as a species tropism determinant. NSP1-1 also can enhance RVA replication in human cells, both in single-cycle infection studies and during a multicycle time course in the presence of fetal bovine serum, which inhibits rotavirus spread. These findings suggest potential yet untested roles for NSP1-1 in RVB species tropism, immune evasion, and pathogenesis.IMPORTANCE While species A rotavirus is commonly associated with diarrheal disease in young children, species B rotavirus has caused sporadic outbreaks of adult diarrheal disease. A major genetic difference between species A and B rotaviruses is the NSP1 gene, which encodes two proteins for species B rotavirus. We demonstrate that the smaller of these proteins, NSP1-1, can mediate fusion of cultured human cells. Comparison with viral proteins of similar function provides insight into NSP1-1 domain organization and fusion mechanism. These comparisons suggest that there is a fatty acid modification at the amino terminus of the protein, and our results show that an intact amino terminus is required for NSP1-1-mediated fusion. NSP1-1 from a human virus mediates fusion of human cells, but not hamster cells, and enhances species A rotavirus replication in culture. These findings suggest potential, but currently untested, roles for NSP1-1 in RVB host species tropism, immune evasion, and pathogenesis.