Anti-Zika Virus Monoclonal Antibodies to Aid in Vaccine Development
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 11 Aug 2016 |
Image: An enhanced image of the Zika virus based on cryo-electron microscope data (Photo courtesy of Dr. Daved Fremont, Washington University School of Medicine).
Highly specific monoclonal antibodies have been produced that may play a crucial role in the development of a vaccine to treat Zika virus (ZIKV) infection or as the basis for rapid diagnostic tests to detect it.
Investigators at Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO, USA) developed six mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against ZIKV after immunizing the animals with live virus and boosting them with infectious virus or recombinant E proteins. Four of the mAbs neutralized infection of African, Asian, and American strains of ZIKV to varying degrees, whereas two inhibited infection poorly.
Results of X-ray crystallographic and competition binding analyses, which were described in the July 27, 2016, online edition of the journal Cell, defined three spatially distinct epitopes in DIII of the envelope protein corresponding to the lateral ridge, C-C’ loop, and ABDE sheet regions. In vivo passive transfer studies in a lethal mouse model of ZIKV infection revealed protective activity of neutralizing DIII lateral ridge mAbs.
"Importantly, some of our antibodies are able to neutralize African, Asian, and American strains of Zika virus to about the same degree," said senior author Dr. Daved Fremont, professor of pathology and immunology at Washington University School of Medicine. "We think that this piece of the viral envelope protein alone would be able to elicit a protective immune response to Zika, which suggests the possibility of making a vaccine from an engineered viral protein rather than the whole virus."
Related Links:
Washington University School of Medicine
Investigators at Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO, USA) developed six mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against ZIKV after immunizing the animals with live virus and boosting them with infectious virus or recombinant E proteins. Four of the mAbs neutralized infection of African, Asian, and American strains of ZIKV to varying degrees, whereas two inhibited infection poorly.
Results of X-ray crystallographic and competition binding analyses, which were described in the July 27, 2016, online edition of the journal Cell, defined three spatially distinct epitopes in DIII of the envelope protein corresponding to the lateral ridge, C-C’ loop, and ABDE sheet regions. In vivo passive transfer studies in a lethal mouse model of ZIKV infection revealed protective activity of neutralizing DIII lateral ridge mAbs.
"Importantly, some of our antibodies are able to neutralize African, Asian, and American strains of Zika virus to about the same degree," said senior author Dr. Daved Fremont, professor of pathology and immunology at Washington University School of Medicine. "We think that this piece of the viral envelope protein alone would be able to elicit a protective immune response to Zika, which suggests the possibility of making a vaccine from an engineered viral protein rather than the whole virus."
Related Links:
Washington University School of Medicine
Latest BioResearch News
- Genome Analysis Predicts Likelihood of Neurodisability in Oxygen-Deprived Newborns
- Gene Panel Predicts Disease Progession for Patients with B-cell Lymphoma
- New Method Simplifies Preparation of Tumor Genomic DNA Libraries
- New Tool Developed for Diagnosis of Chronic HBV Infection
- Panel of Genetic Loci Accurately Predicts Risk of Developing Gout
- Disrupted TGFB Signaling Linked to Increased Cancer-Related Bacteria
- Gene Fusion Protein Proposed as Prostate Cancer Biomarker
- NIV Test to Diagnose and Monitor Vascular Complications in Diabetes
- Semen Exosome MicroRNA Proves Biomarker for Prostate Cancer
- Genetic Loci Link Plasma Lipid Levels to CVD Risk
- Newly Identified Gene Network Aids in Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Link Confirmed between Living in Poverty and Developing Diseases
- Genomic Study Identifies Kidney Disease Loci in Type I Diabetes Patients
- Liquid Biopsy More Effective for Analyzing Tumor Drug Resistance Mutations
- New Liquid Biopsy Assay Reveals Host-Pathogen Interactions
- Method Developed for Enriching Trophoblast Population in Samples