H5N1 influenza binding and cell entry via human class II MHC, and blocking by cross-reactive antibodies
Taylor A. Pursell, Artem I. Mikelov, Oliver Fabian Wirz, Jordan T. Ort, Shuk Hang Li, Reilly K. Atkinson, Jefferson J. S. Santos, Jiabao Zhong, Shilpa A. Joshi, Jumana Afaghani, Xiaorui Han, Emily Haraguchi, Ramona A. Hoh, Ji-Yeun Lee, Brandon Krishna Lam, , Scott Dexter Boyd
This study shows H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses bind human MHC-II HLA-DR for cell entry, independent of sialic acid, and identifies host genetic and antibody factors that modulate this interaction.
bioRxiv · Jul 26, 2026 · PreprintImmunology