Heliyon (Dec 2024)

Cross-neutralization of Influenza A by SARS-CoV-2 specific neutralizing antibodies and polyclonal plasma: Is pre-exposure to SARS-CoV-2 protective against Influenza A?

  • Mohammad Mamun Alam,
  • Asma Salauddin,
  • Sayra Moni,
  • Md Belayet Hasan Limon,
  • Raisha Musarrat,
  • Sagar Bosu,
  • Mohammad Enayet Hossain,
  • Mohammed Ziaur Rahman,
  • Mustafizur Rahman

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 23
p. e40638

Abstract

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According to sparse information from various countries, the seasonal influenza virus circulation has drastically decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we show the cross-reactivity of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies against influenza viruses. Plasma samples were collected from 311 SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. The samples were tested for antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 by ELISA and seasonal influenza virus strains (influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Yamagata, and B/Victoria) using a Hemagglutination Inhibition Assay (HAI). In addition, SARS-CoV-2 antibody-positive but Influenza antibody-negative samples (n = 16) were investigated to determine the SARS-CoV-2 antibody-neutralizing potential against influenza viruses by microneutralization (MN) assay. The SARS-CoV-2 genomes were sequenced using Illumina next-generation sequencing, and an in-silico protein structural analysis was performed to identify epitope and antibody binding similarities between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses. Among 16 samples that didn't contain antibodies against Influenza A strains (H1N1 and H3N2), five showed high (MN titer≥20), and six showed moderate (MN titer≥10) capability to neutralize Influenza A. Subsequent in-silico analysis revealed that most efficient binding (>8 kcal/mol) was found between the antibodies of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant (ΔG) with influenza A/H1N1 HA (Hemagglutinin), A/H3N2 HA, A/H1N1 NA (Neuraminidase), and A/H3N2 NA glycoproteins with −12.4, −9.3, −10.1, and −11.7 kcal/mol, respectively. This investigation revealed that neutralizing antibodies of the delta variant cross-reacted with the Influenza A virus, which might protect against influenza viruses and reduce and shift the seasonal influenza circulation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings warrant further study to explain the probable mechanisms of this cross-reactivity.

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