Structural Basis of Broad Ebolavirus Neutralization by a Human Survivor Antibody

The structural features that govern broad-spectrum activity of broadly neutralizing, anti-ebolavirus antibodies (Abs) are currently unknown. Here we describe the first structure of a broadly neutralizing human Ab, ADI-15946, in complex with cleaved Ebola virus glycoprotein (EBOV GP CL ). We find that ADI-15946 employs structural mimicry of a conserved interaction between the GP core and the glycan cap β17-β18 loop to inhibit infection. Both endosomal proteolysis of EBOV GP and binding of monoclonal Ab (mAb) FVM09 displace this loop, increase exposure of ADI-15946’s conserved epitope and potentiate neutralization. Our work also illuminated the determinants of ADI-15946’s reduced activity against Sudan virus (SUDV), and enabled rational, structure-guided engineering to enhance binding and neutralization against SUDV while retaining the parental breadth of activity. One Sentence Summary The first crystal structure of a broadly active antibody against surface glycoproteins of ebolaviruses identifies a highly conserved epitope beneath the glycan cap and highlights the molecular requirements for broad ebolavirus neutralization.