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

Arun K. Kashyap, John Steel, Ahmet F. Oner, Michael A. Dillon, Ryann E. Swale, Katherine M. Wall, Kimberly J. Perry, Aleksandr Faynboym, Mahmut Ilhan, Michael Horowitz, Lawrence Horowitz, Peter Palese, Ramesh R. Bhatt, Richard A. Lerner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

235 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5986-5991
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume105
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - 22 Apr 2008

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