Monoclonal antibodies specific to the fusion peptide from hemagglutinin from influenza A viruses and uses thereof

Monoclonal antibody 1C9 as produced by hybridoma 1C9 which is deposited with the American Type Culture Collection with Accession Number PTA-8759.

A method for detecting an influenza A virus in a biological specimen which comprises (a) contacting the specimen with an antibody that binds specifically to an epitope of hemagglutinin of H5 subtype of avian influenza A virus and that has the immunological binding characteristics of monoclonal antibody 1C9 as produced by hybridoma 1C9 which is deposited with the American Type Culture Collection with Accession Number PTA-8759, wherein said immunological binding characteristics comprise binding to an epitope that is bound by monoclonal antibody 1C9 and (b) detecting the binding of said antibody.

A kit for detecting an influenza A virus in a biological specimen which comprises an antibody that binds specifically to an epitope of hemagglutinin of an H5 subtype of avian influenza A virus and that has the immunological binding characteristics of monoclonal antibody 1C9 as produced by hybridoma 1C9 which is deposited with the American Type Culture Collection with Accession Number PTA-8759, wherein said immunological binding characteristics comprise binding to an epitope that is bound by monoclonal antibody 1C9 together with reagents for the detection of binding of said antibody to said hemagglutinin.

A method of treating a subject infected with an influenza A virus which comprises administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that binds specifically to an epitope of a hemagglutinin of an H5 subtype of avian influenza A virus and that has the immunological binding characteristics of monoclonal antibody 1C9 as produced by hybridoma 1C9 which is deposited with the American Type Culture Collection with Accession Number PTA-8759, wherein said immunological binding characteristics comprise binding to an epitope that is bound by monoclonal antibody 1C9.

A method of protecting a subject from an influenza A virus infection comprising administering to said subject an antibody that binds specifically to an epitope of hemagglutinin of an influenza A virus and that has the immunological binding characteristics of monoclonal antibody 1C9 as produced by hybridoma 1C9 which is deposited with the American Type Culture Collection with Accession Number PTA-8759, wherein said immunological binding characteristics comprise binding to an epitope that is bound by monoclonal antibody 1C9 in an amount effective to protect the subject from influenza A virus infection.