{
  "abstract": "A public class of broadly protective, human antibodies (Abs) binds a conserved {beta}-hairpin exposed in the postfusion conformation of influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA). We here describe use of in vitro immunoassays and high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy analysis of Ab:HA complexes to explain the apparent genetic restriction of these Abs and the wide range of influenza A and B subtypes they recognize. We show that recognition of the {beta}-hairpin epitope requires 1) germline-encoded residues unique to certain alleles of the human immunoglobulin heavy chain gene IGHV1-2, 2) a short (<14-residue) HCDR3 to avoid steric clash with HA, and 3) several Ab light chain residues that are germline-encoded by various IGLV2-family genes or IGLV7-46. Despite the genetic restrictions, the capacity to make {beta}-hairpin Abs is widespread among humans. We recovered examples of these Abs from 14 genetically unrelated donors, and a previously reported analysis of the IGHV genotypes of ~2,500 individuals sampled from major ethnic populations estimates that >75% of people have the necessary IGHV1-2 alleles to make these Abs. We conclude that an immunogen that displays the {beta}-hairpin epitope might reliably elicit broadly protective influenza antibodies in most humans.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Boston Children's Hospital"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 9,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "J. Finney"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Park"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Dodes Traian"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Kuraoka"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. Towers"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. A. Moody"
    },
    {
      "name": "G. Georgiou"
    },
    {
      "name": "G. H. Kelsoe"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Harrison"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/63br6x1qq3g24.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.10.28.760416",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.28.760416v1.full",
  "id": "63br6x1qq3g24",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.28.760416v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "immunology"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.28.760416v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-28",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/63br6x1qq3g24.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-04T00:21:35Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.10.28.760416",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.28.760416v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:immunology",
      "subfield": "immunology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Genetically restricted human antibodies recognize a conserved β-hairpin in postfusion influenza hemagglutinin",
  "title_text": "Genetically restricted human antibodies recognize a conserved β-hairpin in postfusion influenza hemagglutinin",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-05T00:21:01Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/63br6x1qq3g24",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}