Convergent Structures Illuminate Features for Germline Antibody Binding and Pan-Lassa Virus Neutralization

Kathryn M. Hastie, Robert W. Cross, Stephanie S. Harkins, Michelle A. Zandonatti, Anatoliy P. Koval, Megan L. Heinrich, Megan M. Rowland, James E. Robinson, Thomas W. Geisbert, Robert F. Garry, Luis M. Branco, Erica Ollmann Saphire

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lassa virus (LASV) causes hemorrhagic fever and is endemic in West Africa. Protective antibody responses primarily target the LASV surface glycoprotein (GPC), and GPC-B competition group antibodies often show potent neutralizing activity in humans. However, which features confer potent and broadly neutralizing antibody responses is unclear. Here, we compared three crystal structures of LASV GPC complexed with GPC-B antibodies of varying neutralization potency. Each GPC-B antibody recognized an overlapping epitope involved in binding of two adjacent GPC monomers and preserved the prefusion trimeric conformation. Differences among GPC-antibody interactions highlighted specific residues that enhance neutralization. Using structure-guided amino acid substitutions, we increased the neutralization potency and breadth of these antibodies to include all major LASV lineages. The ability to define antibody residues that allow potent and broad neutralizing activity, together with findings from analyses of inferred germline precursors, is critical to develop potent therapeutics and for vaccine design and assessment. Structural studies identify antibody features that provide potent neutralization against Lassa virus.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1004-1015.e14
JournalCell
Volume178
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 8 2019

Keywords

  • Lassa virus
  • antibody
  • arenavirus
  • germline
  • neutralization
  • protein engineering
  • structural biology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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