One UVM lab’s surprise discovery led to flu science breakthrough
A University of Vermont lab led by Emily Bruce discovered that H3N2 and H1N1 flu viruses infect human lungs differently, with Rab11B protein playing a key role in H3N2 infection. The finding challenges the long-held belief that sialic acid is the universal binding point for flu viruses, potentially paving the way for more targeted antiviral treatments.
Researchers at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine have made a breakthrough in flu science by discovering how two seasonal flu viruses—H1N1 and H3N2—enter and infect human lungs in distinct ways. Led by assistant professor Emily Bruce, the team found that the H3N2 virus relies on the Rab11B protein for infection, while H1N1 does not, contradicting the long-standing assumption that sialic acid alone enables viral entry. The study, published in the *Journal of Virology*, reveals that H3N2 cannot infect human lung cells with low levels of Rab11B, even if sialic acid is present. Rab11B helps transport cellular proteins to the right location for the virus to bind, meaning its absence blocks infection. This discovery challenges decades of flu research, which treated both viruses similarly in testing and treatment. Bruce’s team sequenced viral genomes from a 2022 flu case in Vermont to isolate Rab11B’s role in infection. The findings suggest that targeting Rab11B or its pathways could lead to more effective antiviral drugs, as sialic acid’s widespread presence makes it a less viable drug target. Current flu treatments remain limited, underscoring the need for new approaches. Silke Stertz, a medical virology professor at the University of Zürich, praised the study for revealing how H1N1 and H3N2 use different entry routes into host cells. Vermont epidemiologist Emily Mosites called the research valuable for understanding flu infections, noting that last winter’s flu season saw 83 outbreaks across schools and long-term care facilities in the state. The discovery could guide future antiviral development and improve flu prevention strategies.
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