Natural history and mechanism of protection of human vaccine induced influenza B virus (IBV) neuraminidase (NA) broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (BNhmAbs)
The overall goal of this NYICE project is to determine the natural history of how influenza B virus (IBV) broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies (BNhmAbs) are induced in response to seasonal vaccination and their ability to prevent IBV infection and transmission, and their mechanism of action. This knowledge will provide the basis for the development of immunotherapeutics to fill the existing gap for treatments against IBV. Moreover, a detailed characterization of the conserved epitopes recognized by these IBV NA BNmAbs would facilitate the generation of immunogens able to induce similar broadly neutralizing Ab responses in humans and the development of a universal vaccine to combat IBV.