Broadly neutralizing antibodies against influenza virus and prospects for universal therapies

Vaccines are the gold standard for the control and prevention of infectious diseases, but a number of important human diseases remain challenging targets for vaccine development. An influenza vaccine that confers broad spectrum, long-term protection remains elusive. Several broadly neutralizing antibodies have been identified that protect against multiple subtypes of influenza A viruses, and crystal structures of several neutralizing antibodies in complex with the major influenza surface antigen, hemagglutinin, have revealed at least 3 highly conserved epitopes. Our understanding of the molecular details of these antibody-antigen interactions has suggested new strategies for the rational design of improved influenza vaccines, and has inspired the development of new antivirals for the treatment of influenza infections.