The present invention provides structural determinants important for binding to the stem domain of the HA protein of influenza virus, and methods of use thereof for production of high affinity neutralizing influenza virus antibodies based upon these determinants. The present invention further provides tools for determining the efficacy of an influenza virus vaccine. The present invention further provides a molecular signature useful for determining the efficacy of an influenza virus vaccine in a subject, or for predicting prior immunologic exposure or antigen responsiveness to vaccine or influenza virus infection.

The present invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising two or more polypeptides. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding the polypeptides, and methods of using the compositions, nucleic acid molecules and vectors for the prevention or treatment of influenza.

MAb 9F4 provides heterologous protection against multiple influenza A H5N1 clade viruses, including one of the recently designated subclades, namely 2.3.4, through binding to a novel epitope. The present invention relates to isolated mouse-human chimeric (xi) IgG.sub.1-9F4 and IgA.sub.1-9F4 MAb which retain high degrees of binding and neutralizing activity against influenza H5N1. The invention also relates to methods of production, kits and uses of the chimeric antibodies in the treatment of influenza A subtype H5N1 disease.

Isolated monoclonal antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that specifically bind neuraminidase (NA) of an N1 subtype influenza virus are disclosed herein. These antibodies and antigen binding fragments can be used for the detection of an N1 subtype influenza virus and for determining the immunogenicity of vaccines. The antibodies and antigen binding fragments also can be used for the treatment of a subject to prevent or ameliorate an influenza infection.

Virus-like particles (VLPs) of mammalian-hosted viruses, such as SARS-CoV and influenza viruses, have been recombinantly produced from Vero cells. The VLPs closely emulate the exterior of authentic virus particles and are highly immunogenic. They can elicit not only humoral but also cellular immune responses in a mammal. Compositions and methods related to the VLPs are also described.

Provided herein are various processes for the improved production of antibody producing organisms, antibody producing tissues, antibody producing cells and antibodies. In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods for rapidly producing antibody producing organisms, tissues, cells and antibodies derived from humans, organisms, plants or cells that are genetically altered to over-express certain proteins.

Provided herein are antibodies that bind to neuraminidase (NA) of different strains of influenza B virus, host cells for producing such antibodies, and kits comprising such antibodies. Also provided herein are compositions comprising antibodies that bind to NA of different strains of influenza B virus and methods of using such antibodies to diagnose, prevent or treat influenza virus disease.

The present invention provides a novel antibody capable of binding influenza virus. The antibody directed to the present invention consists of an amino acid sequence, wherein said amino acid sequence consists of, in an N- to C-direction, the following structural domains:

N-FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4-C FR denotes a framework region amino acid sequence and CDR denotes a complementary determining region amino acid sequence; the CDR1 consists of an amino acid sequence represented by SYYMS (SEQ ID NO: 01) the CDR2 consists of an amino acid sequence represented by TINTGGGSTYYADSVKG (SEQ ID NO: 02); the CDR3 consists of an amino acid sequence represented by DGPYGGYDY (SEQ ID NO: 03); and the antibody is capable of binding to H12N1 influenza virus.

Desirably, the FR1-FR4 consist of amino acid sequences represented by EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRVSCAASGFTFS (SEQ ID NO: 04), WVRQAPGKGLEWVS (SEQ ID NO: 05), RFTISRDNAKNTLYLQMDSLKSEDTAVYYCAK (SEQ ID NO: 06), and WGQGTQVTVSP (SEQ ID NO: 07), respectively.

The present invention provides, among other things, methods, reagents, and systems for the treatment, detection, analysis, and/or characterization of influenza infections.

The present invention provides anti-influenza B virus hemagglutinin antibodies, compositions comprising anti-influenza B virus hemagglutinin antibodies, and methods of using the same.