Host cell entry and neutralisation sensitivity of H3N2 influenza A virus subclade K
In 2025, a mutated H3N2 lineage, subclade K, emerged, showing high activity in many regions. Mutations in the hemagglutinin (HA) may affect cell entry and antibody-mediated neutralisation. Using pseudovirus particles, we show that subclade K-HA drives augmented entry into certain cell lines and displays significant antibody evasion. Both phenotypes were linked to mutation A186D. Influenza vaccination significantly boosted H3N2 subclade K neutralisation, suggesting that current vaccines may provide considerable protection.
Authors
- Metodi V. Stankov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3001-2478)
- Nicole de Moor
- Nianzhen Chen
- Karsten Lürken
- Michael Winkler (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6198-554X)
- Sandra Steffens
- Georg M. N. Behrens
- Markus Hoffmann
- Christine Happle
- Lu Zhang
- Anna-Sophie Moldenhauer
- Stefan Pöhlmann
Institutions
- Universität Ulm (DE)
- German Primate Center (DE)
- Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (DE)
- German Center for Infection Research (DE)
- German Center for Lung Research (DE)
- University of Göttingen (DE)
- Deutsche Post (Germany) (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Vaccines
- Published
- 2026-09-04
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-026-01573-y
- Primary Topic
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
- China Scholarship Council
- Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur
- Leibniz-Gemeinschaft