pH-Dependent Mechanisms of Influenza Infection Mediated by Hemagglutinin

Influenza hemagglutinin (HA) is a viral membrane bound protein that plays a critical role in the viral life cycle by mediating entry into target cells. HA exploits the lowering of the pH in the endosomal compartment to initiate a series of conformational changes that promote access of the viral genetic material to the cytoplasm, and hence viral replication. In this review we will first discuss what is known about the structural properties of HA as a function of pH. Next, we will discuss the dynamics and intermediate states of HA. We will then discuss the specific residues that are thought to be titrated by the change in pH and possible mechanisms for the pH triggered conformational changes. Finally, we will discuss small molecules that disrupt the pH trigger and thus serve as potential therapeutic strategies to prevent influenza infection.

Peptide Aggregation Induced Immunogenic Rupture (PAIIR)

Under the influence of stress and membrane damage, cells undergo immunogenic cell death (ICD), which involves the release of damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), natural adjuvants for enhancing an immune response. In the presence of an antigen, released DAMPs can determine the type and magnitude of the immune response, and therefore the longevity and efficacy of an antigen-specific immunity. In the last decade, the immune response effect of ICD has been shown, yet there is no tool that can induce controlled ICD with predictable results, regardless of the cell type. We designed a peptide-based tool, called [II], for controlled damage to cell membrane to induce ICD and DAMPs release. Herein we describe a series of experiments that determine that the mechanism of action of [II] includes a caspase-dependent ICD and subsequent release of immune stimulating DAMPs, on various cell types. Moreover, we tested the hypothesis that controlled DAMP release via [II] in vivo was associated with enhancement of antigen-specific adaptive immunity with influenza hemagglutinin (HA) subunit vaccine. HA and [II] showed significantly higher HA specific IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies, compared to HA-only immunized mice, while the peptide itself did not elicit antibodies. In this paper, we demonstrate the first peptide-aggregation induced immunogenic rupture (PAIIR) approach as vaccine adjuvants for increasing both humoral and cellular immunity. In consideration of its ability to enhance IgG2a responses that are associated with heterosubtypic influenza virus protection, PAIIR is a promising adjuvant to promote universal protection upon influenza HA vaccination.

Magnitude and Breadth of Antibody Cross-reactivity Induced by Recombinant Influenza Hemagglutinin Trimer Vaccine Is Enhanced by Combination Adjuvants

The effects of adjuvants for increasing the immunogenicity of influenza vaccines are well known. However, the effect of adjuvants on increasing the breadth of cross-reactivity is less well understood. In this study we have performed a systematic screen of different toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, with and without a squalene-in-water emulsion on the immunogenicity of a recombinant trimerized hemagglutinin (HA) vaccine in mice after single-dose administration. Antibody (Ab) cross-reactivity for other variants within and outside the immunizing subtype (homosubtypic and heterosubtypic cross-reactivity, respectively) was assessed using a protein microarray approach. Of all the formulations tested, a combination of CpG, MPLA and AddaVAX (termed “IVAX-1”) yielded the greatest breadth and magnitude of Ab responses, particularly against the HA1 region (which includes the variable head domain) of HA. Antigen-specific plasma cell labeling experiments show the components of IVAX-1 are synergistic. This adjuvant preferentially stimulates CD4 T cells to produce Th1>Th2 type (IgG2c>IgG1) antibodies and cytokine responses. Moreover, IVAX-1 induces identical homo- and heterosubtypic IgG and IgA cross-reactivity profiles when administered intranasally. Consistent with these observations, a single-cell transcriptomics analysis demonstrated significant increases in expression of IgG1, IgG2b and IgG2c genes of B cells in H5/IVAX-1 immunized mice relative to naïve mice, as well as significant increases in expression of the IFNg gene of both CD4 and CD8 T cells. These data support the use of adjuvants for enhancing the breath and durability of antibody responses of influenza virus vaccines.

Atypical B cells upregulate co-stimulatory molecules during malaria and secrete antibodies with T follicular helper cell support

ABSTRACTSeveral infectious and autoimmune diseases are associated with an expansion of CD21-CD27- atypical B cells (atBCs). The function of atBCs remains unclear and few studies have investigated the biology of pathogen-specific atBCs during acute infection. Here, we performed longitudinal RNA-sequencing and flow cytometry analyses of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf)-specific B cells before and shortly after febrile malaria, with simultaneous analysis of influenza hemagglutinin (HA)-specific B cells as a comparator. B cell receptor-sequencing showed that Pf-specific atBCs, activated B cells (actBCs) and classical memory B cells share clonality and have comparable somatic hypermutation. In response to malaria, Pf-specific atBCs and actBCs expanded and upregulated molecules that mediate B-T cell interactions, suggesting that atBCs respond to T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. Indeed, in the presence of Tfh cells and Staphylococcal enterotoxin B, atBCs of malaria-exposed individuals differentiated into CD38+ antibody-secreting cells in vitro, suggesting that atBCs may actively contribute to humoral immunity to infectious pathogens.One Sentence SummaryThis study shows that atypical B cells actively respond to acute malaria and have the capacity to produce antibodies with T cell help.

A large-scale systematic survey of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies reveals recurring molecular features

In the past two years, the global research in combating COVID-19 pandemic has led to isolation and characterization of numerous human antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike. This enormous collection of antibodies provides an unprecedented opportunity to study the antibody response to a single antigen. Using information derived from 88 research publications and 13 patents, we have assembled a dataset of ~8,000 human antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike from >200 donors. Analysis of antibodies that target different domains of the spike protein reveals a number of common (public) responses to SARS-CoV-2, exemplified via recurring IGHV/IGK(L)V pairs, CDR H3 sequences, IGHD usage, and somatic hypermutation. We further present a proof-of-concept for predicting antigen specificity by using deep learning to differentiate sequences of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike and to influenza hemagglutinin. Overall, this study not only provides an informative resource for antibody research, but fundamentally advances our molecular understanding of public antibody responses.

Broadly-neutralizing antibodies that bind to the influenza hemagglutinin stalk domain enhance the effectiveness of neuraminidase inhibitors via Fc-mediated effector functions

The conserved hemagglutinin stalk domain is an attractive target for broadly effective antibody-based therapeutics and next generation universal influenza vaccines. Protection provided by hemagglutinin stalk binding antibodies is principally mediated through activation of immune effector cells. Titers of stalk-binding antibodies are highly variable on an individual level, and tend to increase with age as a result of increasing exposures to influenza virus. In our study, we show that stalk-binding antibodies cooperate with neuraminidase inhibitors to protect against influenza virus infection in an Fc-dependent manner. These data suggest that the effectiveness of neuraminidase inhibitors is likely influenced by an individual's titers of stalk-binding antibodies, and that neuraminidase inhibitors may enhance the effectiveness of future stalk-binding monoclonal antibody-based treatments.

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate as a Novel Vaccine Adjuvant

Vaccine adjuvants from natural resources have been utilized for enhancing vaccine efficacy against infectious diseases. This study examined the potential use of catechins, polyphenolic materials derived from green tea, as adjuvants for subunit and inactivated vaccines. Previously, catechins have been documented to have irreversible virucidal function, with the possible applicability in the inactivated viral vaccine platform. In a mouse model, the coadministration of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) with influenza hemagglutinin (HA) antigens induced high levels of neutralizing antibodies, comparable to that induced by alum, providing complete protection against the lethal challenge. Adjuvant effects were observed for all types of HA antigens, including recombinant full-length HA and HA1 globular domain, and egg-derived inactivated split influenza vaccines. The combination of alum and EGCG further increased neutralizing (NT) antibody titers with the corresponding hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers, demonstrating a dose-sparing effect. Remarkably, EGCG induced immunoglobulin isotype switching from IgG1 to IgG2a (approximately >64–700 fold increase), exerting a more balanced TH1/TH2 response compared to alum. The upregulation of IgG2a correlated with significant enhancement of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) function (approximately 14 fold increase), providing a potent effector-mediated protection in addition to NT and HI. As the first report on a novel class of vaccine adjuvants with built-in virucidal activities, the results of this study will help improve the efficacy and safety of vaccines for pandemic preparedness.

96. Relative Vaccine Effectiveness Against Influenza-Related and Any Respiratory-Related Hospital Encounter During the 2019/20 High Influenza Activity Period: A Comprehensive Real-World Analysis to Compare Quadrivalent Cell-based and Egg-based Influenza Vaccines

Background Changes in the influenza hemagglutinin protein during replication of influenza in eggs during vaccine production may contribute to low vaccine effectiveness (VE). This phenomenon, egg adaptation, can explain VE differences between egg-based (QIVe-SD) and cell-based (QIVc) quadrivalent influenza vaccines. This research evaluated the relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) of QIVc versus QIVe-SD in the reduction of influenza-related and any respiratory-related hospitalizations/emergency room (ER) visits among subjects 4-64 years old during the 2019/20 influenza season. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted among subjects 4-64 years old vaccinated with QIVc or QIVe-SD using administrative claims data in the U.S. (IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus). The adjusted number of events and rates of influenza-related hospitalizations/ER visits and respiratory-related hospitalizations/ER visits were assessed using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Poisson regression was used to estimate relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE). In the main analysis, the study period was from Aug 4, 2019 to Mar 7, 2020 (ending early to avoid any influenza outcome misclassification with COVD-19 infection). In the assessment of the high influenza activity period (HIAP), the analysis period was restricted to Dec 8, 2019 to Mar 7, 2020. Results During the 2019/20 influenza season, 1,150,134 recipients of QIVc and 3,924,819, of QIVe-SD were identified following IPTW. In the main analysis, adjusted results show that QIVc was associated with a significantly higher rVE compared to QIVe-SD against influenza-related hospitalizations/ER visits (5.3% [95%CI: 0.5%-9.9%]) and respiratory-related hospitalizations/ER visits (8.2% [95%CI: 6.5%-9.8%]). Similarly, in the HIAP analysis, QIVc was associated with a significantly higher rVE compared to QIVe-SD for influenza-related hospitalizations/ER visits (5.7% [95%CI: 0.8%-10.4%]) and respiratory-related hospitalizations/ER visits (7.3% [95%CI: 5.4%-9.2%]). Conclusion QIVc was more effective in preventing influenza-related and respiratory-related hospitalizations/ER visits compared to QIVe-SD, using either a broad influenza season definition or restricting to the HIAP. Disclosures Victoria Divino, PhD, Seqirus (Consultant) Maarten Postma, Dr., Seqirus (Consultant) Stephen I. Pelton, MD, Seqirus (Consultant) Joaquin F. Mould-Quevedo, PhD, Seqirus (Employee) Ruthwik Anupindi, PhD, Seqirus (Consultant) Mitchell DeKoven, PhD, Seqirus (Consultant) myron J. levin, MD, GSK group of companies (Employee, Research Grant or Support)