Antibodies That Engage the Hemagglutinin Receptor-Binding Site of Influenza B Viruses

Abstract

We describe cross-reactive human antibodies recognizing influenza B viruses spanning nearly 80 years of antigenic drift. Structures show that they engage the receptor-binding site (RBS) of the viral hemagglutinin with strong similarities to their influenza A counterparts, despite structural differences between the RBS of influenza A and B. Our data show that these antibodies readily cross-react with both influenza B Victoria and Yamagata lineages. We also note that all antibodies are encoded by IGHV3-9/IGK1-33. Future research will provide insight into the prevalence of these antibodies in the human population.

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