Hemagglutinin of A/Vietnam/1203/04 Influenza Virus (VN04-9) Antibody raised against the hemagglutinin (HA) surface glycoprotein of the A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1) influenza virus. Generally referred to as ''bird flu'', the H5N1 influenza A virus has been documented in poultry and humans across ten Eurasian countries, from Japan in the north to Indonesia in the south. Without immunity, humans would have no protection against H5N1 influenza viruses, which could potentially cause a catastrophic pandemic influenza. This antibody, directed against the HA surface glycoprotein of the A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1) influenza virus, is intended to further our understanding of the mechanisms underlying antigenic variation and evolution of novel variants. The major functions of HA include receptor-binding and fusion activities, but there may also be a structural role for HA in viral particle formation. Following attachment of HA to surface receptors on susceptible cells, the influenza virus enters the cell via endocytosis and membrane fusion.

Hemagglutinin of A/Vietnam/1203/04 Influenza Virus (VN04-9) monoclonal antibody was produced by intraperitoneal immunization of BALB/c mice with concentrated purified virus preparation containing hemagglutinin (HA) protein of influenza A virus [strain A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1)] using the modification of the method described by Kohler and Milstein. Each mouse received two immunizations of 15 µg HA with incomplete Freund’s adjuvant, administered 3 week apart.