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  4. Structure-based Design of Chimeric Influenza Hemagglutinins to Elicit Cross-group Immunity
 
preprint

Structure-based Design of Chimeric Influenza Hemagglutinins to Elicit Cross-group Immunity

Castro Gilabert, Karla Montserrat  
•
Ayardulabi, Reyhaneh  
•
Wehrle, Sarah  
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October 31, 2025

Antigenic variability among influenza virus strains poses a significant challenge to developing broadly protective, long-lasting vaccines. Current annual vaccines target specific strains, requiring accurate prediction for effective neutralization. Despite sequence diversity across phylogenetic groups, the hemagglutinin (HA) head domain’s structure remains highly conserved. Utilizing this conservation, we designed cross-group chimeric HAs that combine antigenic surfaces from distant strains. By structure-guided transplantation of receptor-binding site (RBS) residues, we displayed an H3 RBS on an H1 HA scaffold. These chimeric immunogens elicit cross-group polyclonal responses capable of neutralizing both base and distal strains. Additionally, the chimeras integrate heterotrimeric immunogens, enhancing modular vaccine design. This approach enables the inclusion of diverse strain segments to generate broad polyclonal responses. In the future, such modular immunogens may serve as tools for evaluating immunodominance and refining immunization strategies, offering potential to bridge and enhance immune responses in individuals with pre-existing immunity. This strategy holds promise for advancing universal influenza vaccine development.

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Type
preprint
DOI
10.7554/elife.108833
Author(s)
Castro Gilabert, Karla Montserrat  

EPFL

Ayardulabi, Reyhaneh  

EPFL

Wehrle, Sarah  

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Cui, Hongrui

VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology

Georgeon, Sandrine  

EPFL

Schmidt, Joseph  

EPFL

Xiao, Shuhao  

EPFL

Seraj, Nishat
Harshbarger, Wayne
Mallett, Corey P.
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Date Issued

2025-10-31

Publisher

eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
UPBARTH  
LPDI  
Available on Infoscience
November 5, 2025
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/255560
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