The antigenic landscape of human influenza N2 neuraminidases from 2009 until 2017

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.90782
• Publication Date: 2023-10-09T19:29:20Z
• Authors: João Paulo Portel...; Anouk Smet; Tine Ysenbaert; Marnik Vuylsteke; Guy Bottu; Janick Mathys; Alexander Botzki; Guadalupe Cortes-...; Tod Strugnell; Raul Gomila; John Hamberger; John Catalan; Irina V Ustyugova; Timothy Farrell; Svetlana Stegalkina; Satyajit Ray; Lauren LaRue; Xavier Saelens; Thorsten U Vogel
• Keywords: Original antigenic sin; Antigenic shift; H5N1 genetic structure; Sialidase

Human H3N2 influenza viruses are subject to rapid antigenic evolution which translates into frequent updates of the composition seasonal vaccines. Despite these updates, effectiveness vaccines against H3N2-associated disease is suboptimal. Seasonal primarily induce hemagglutinin-specific antibody responses. However, antibodies directed neuraminidase (NA) also contribute protection. Here, we analysed diversity a panel N2 NAs derived from human that circulated between 2009 and 2017. The breadth was determined based on NA inhibition (NAI) broad ferret mouse immune sera were raised by infection recombinant immunisation. This assessment allowed us distinguish at least four groups in Computational analysis further revealed amino acid residues have major impact susceptibility NAI proximity catalytic site. Finally, machine learning method developed accurately predict mutations present our NAI. These findings important implications for renewed interest develop improved inclusion protective antigen formulation.