Super-resolution microscopy reveals significant impact of M2e-specific monoclonal antibodies on influenza A virus filament formation at the host cell surface.

Influenza A virions are highly pleomorphic, exhibiting either spherical or filamentous morphology. The influenza A virus strain A/Udorn/72 (H3N2) produces copious amounts of long filaments on the surface of infected cells where matrix protein 1 (M1) and 2 (M2) play a key role in virus filament formation. Previously, it was shown that an anti-M2 ectodomain (M2e) antibody could inhibit A/Udorn/72 virus filament formation.

Passively transferred M2e-specific monoclonal antibody reduces influenza A virus transmission in mice.

Influenza represents a global public health threat. Currently available influenza vaccines are effective against strain-matched influenza A and B viruses but do not protect against novel pandemic viruses. Vaccine candidates that target conserved B or T cell epitopes of influenza viruses could circumvent this shortcoming.

M2e-tetramer-specific memory CD4 T cells are broadly protective against influenza infection.

Matrix protein 2 ectodomain (M2e) is considered an attractive component of a broadly protective, universal influenza A vaccine. Here we challenge the canonical view that antibodies against M2e are the prime effectors of protection. Intranasal immunizations of Balb/c mice with CTA1-3M2e-DD-generated M2e-specific memory CD4 T cells that were I-A restricted and critically protected against infection, even in the complete absence of antibodies, as observed in JhD mice.

Hierarchical and Redundant Roles of Activating FcγRs in Protection against Influenza Disease by M2e-Specific IgG1 and IgG2a Antibodies.

The ectodomain of matrix protein 2 is a universal influenza A virus vaccine candidate that provides protection through antibody-dependent effector mechanisms. Here we compared the functional engagement of Fcγ receptor (FcγR) family members by two M2e-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), MAb 37 (IgG1) and MAb 65 (IgG2a), which recognize a similar epitope in M2e with similar affinities. The binding of MAb 65 to influenza A virus-infected cells triggered all three activating mouse Fcγ receptors , whereas MAb 37 activated only FcγRIII.

Chemical-controlled Activation of Antiviral Myxovirus Resistance Protein 1.

The antiviral myxovirus resistance protein 1 (MX1) is an interferon-induced GTPase that plays an important role in the defense of mammalian cells against influenza A viruses. Mouse MX1 interacts with the influenza ribonucleoprotein complexes (vRNPs) and can prevent the interaction between polymerase basic 2 (PB2) and the nucleoprotein (NP) of influenza A viruses. However, it is unclear whether mouse MX1 disrupts the PB2-NP interaction in the context of pre-existing vRNPs or prevents the assembly of new vRNP components.