Influenza A H3N2 Viral Antigens (H3N2 Antigens)

Influenza A H3N2 viral antigens, primarily hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), are surface glycoproteins essential for the virus's infectivity and are the primary targets of the host immune response. HA mediates viral entry by binding to sialic acid receptors on host cells, while NA facilitates viral release by cleaving sialic acid. Frequent mutations in HA, particularly in the receptor binding site, lead to antigenic drift, enabling the virus to evade pre-existing immunity. Licensed influenza vaccines mainly target HA antigens, aiming to induce neutralizing antibodies that prevent infection. NA inhibitors also play a role in antiviral therapy by hindering viral release.

Other names

H3N2 HemagglutininH3N2 NeuraminidaseInfluenza A H3N2 HAInfluenza A H3N2 NA

Neuraminidase inhibitors block viral release; HA-based vaccines elicit neutralizing antibodies against the virus, preventing infection.