Inhibition of virus-induced hemolysis with monoclonal antibodies to different antigenic areas on the hemagglutinin molecule of A/seal/Massachusetts/1/80 (H7N7) influenza virus

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Abstract
A/seal/Massachusetts/1/80 (H7N7) influenza virus caused maximal hemolysis at pH 5.9. Monoclonal antibodies to each of the four nonoverlapping antigenic areas on the hemagglutinin molecule of the virus inhibited the hemolysis whereas those belonging to two of the groups did not inhibit hemagglutination of the virus. Hemolysis also occurred when the virus was incubated at pH 5.9 prior to addition of erythrocytes. Such hemolysis caused by acid-treated virus was inhibited with the antibodies as well. At pH 5.9, hemagglutination of neither intact virus nor hemagglutinin rosettes was inhibited with any of the monoclonal antibodies, indicating conformational change in the hemagglutinin molecule, at this pH. On the other hand, hemagglutination-inhibition was observed when the antigens were incubated with the monoclonal antibodies at pH 7.0 and then the pH was later shifted to 5.9, suggesting that antibody-binding interferes with the conformational change in the hemagglutinin molecule at pH 5.9. The present findings indicate that antibodies to the hemagglutinin of influenza virus can inhibit virus-induced hemolysis by blocking conformational change in the hemagglutinin molecule and blocking later step of fusion than the conformational change, in addition to blocking attachment of virus to the receptor of erythrocytes.