Figure 2

Mechanisms of antibody-mediated neutralization during influenza infection. A. Serum IgG or B. mucosal IgA antibodies specific to hemagglutinin prevent influenza infection by blocking attachment to host cell receptors. C. After binding, the virus is internalized by receptor mediated endocytosis. The low pH in the endosome triggers conformational changes in hemagglutinin that expose fusion peptide located in HA2 required for membrane fusion. In this step, antibodies bound to HA2 block the fusion of viral and endosomal membranes and prevent release of ribonucleoprotein complex into the cytoplasm of target cell. D. Intracellular neutralization of influenza virus through transcytotic pathway of IgA that complex with viral proteins and inhibit assembly of progeny virions. E. Antibodies specific to neuraminidase inhibit release of budding viral particles and further spread of influenza infection by inhibition of neuraminidase activity.