Administration of rAAV encoding monoclonal antibodies protects mice challenged with a lethal dose of H3N2 influenza virus and neutralizes H1 and H3 strains

The influenza virus causes seasonal epidemics throughout the world. At the same time, the rapid mutation of the virus renders the use of seasonal vaccines less effective. One of the approaches sought to improve influenza prevention is the use of monoclonal antibodies that are active against a wide range of influenza virus strains. In this study, the virus-neutralizing activity of the monoclonal antibodies CR9114, MHAA4549A, MEDI8852, C585, and 1G01 against the influenza virus was assessed. To this end, recombinant vectors based on adeno-associated virus (rAAV) encoding these antibodies were used. The rAAV vectors were expressed in mice in vivo, and the virus-neutralizing activity of the sera against the H1N1 and H3N2 influenza virus strains was assessed. Administration of rAAV-C585, rAAV-MHAA4549A, and rAAV-1G01 conferred 100% protection to mice challenged with a lethal dose of the H3N2 influenza virus. The efficacy of rAAV-CR9114 and rAAV-MEDI8852 against this influenza virus strain was lower, at 80 and 75%, respectively.