[PDF][PDF] Memory B cells that cross-react with group 1 and group 2 influenza A viruses are abundant in adult human repertoires

KR McCarthy, A Watanabe, M Kuraoka, KT Do… - Immunity, 2018 - cell.com
KR McCarthy, A Watanabe, M Kuraoka, KT Do, CE McGee, GD Sempowski, TB Kepler
Immunity, 2018cell.com
Human B cell antigen-receptor (BCR) repertoires reflect repeated exposures to evolving
influenza viruses; new exposures update the previously generated B cell memory (Bmem)
population. Despite structural similarity of hemagglutinins (HAs) from the two groups of
influenza A viruses, cross-reacting antibodies (Abs) are uncommon. We analyzed Bmem
compartments in three unrelated, adult donors and found frequent cross-group BCRs, both
HA-head directed and non-head directed. Members of a clonal lineage from one donor had …
Summary
Human B cell antigen-receptor (BCR) repertoires reflect repeated exposures to evolving influenza viruses; new exposures update the previously generated B cell memory (Bmem) population. Despite structural similarity of hemagglutinins (HAs) from the two groups of influenza A viruses, cross-reacting antibodies (Abs) are uncommon. We analyzed Bmem compartments in three unrelated, adult donors and found frequent cross-group BCRs, both HA-head directed and non-head directed. Members of a clonal lineage from one donor had a BCR structure similar to that of a previously described Ab, encoded by different gene segments. Comparison showed that both Abs contacted the HA receptor-binding site through long heavy-chain third complementarity determining regions. Affinities of the clonal-lineage BCRs for historical influenza-virus HAs from both group 1 and group 2 viruses suggested that serial responses to seasonal influenza exposures had elicited the lineage and driven affinity maturation. We propose that appropriate immunization regimens might elicit a comparably broad response.
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