Human 4F5 single-chain Fv antibody recognizing a conserved HA1 epitope has broad neutralizing potency against H5N1 influenza A viruses of different clades

Influenza A viruses present a significant threat to public health worldwide. High-affinity human scFv antibodies against a conserved epitope can potentially provide immunity to diverse viruses and protect against future pandemic viruses. A library of phage-displayed human scFv containing 6.0 × 108 members was generated from lymphocytes of H5N1 virus vaccinated individuals. Using the recombinant H5N1 virus hemagglutinin ectodomain (HA1), 4F5 scFv was identified with neutralizing activity against both clade 2 and 9 H5N1 viruses. In embryonated chicken eggs, the antiviral activity of 4F5 scFv conferred a 100% survival rate and at least a 62.5% survival rate against different clades of H5N1 viruses by pre-treatment and post-treatment, respectively. 4F5 scFv belongs to the VH-3-43 family according to the IMGT database, and a peptide (76)WLLGNP(81) containing half of an α-helix in HA1 was identified as the binding pocket. The conserved binding epitope of this novel broadly neutralizing scFv may become key in the design and implementation of vaccines or RNA interference against H5N1 viruses.

• A library of phage-displayed human scFv containing 6.0 × 108 members was generated.
• 4F5 scFv has neutralizing activity against both clade 2 and 9 H5N1 viruses.
• 4F5 scFv belongs to the VH-3-43 family according to the IMGT database.
• A peptide containing half of an α-helix in HA1 was the 4F5 scFv binding pocket.
• 4F5 scFv yielded a satisfactory antiviral effect in embryonated chicken eggs model.