1. A Combination of Two Human Monoclonal Antibodies Prevents Zika Virus Escape Mutations in Non-human Primates
- Author
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Jennifer R. Keeffe, Koen K.A. Van Rompay, Priscilla C. Olsen, Qiao Wang, Anna Gazumyan, Stephanie A. Azzopardi, Dennis Schaefer-Babajew, Yu E. Lee, Jackson B. Stuart, Anil Singapuri, Jennifer Watanabe, Jodie Usachenko, Amir Ardeshir, Mohsan Saeed, Marianna Agudelo, Thomas Eisenreich, Stylianos Bournazos, Thiago Y. Oliveira, Charles M. Rice, Lark L. Coffey, Margaret R. MacDonald, Pamela J. Bjorkman, Michel C. Nussenzweig, and Davide F. Robbiani
- Subjects
Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Summary: Zika virus (ZIKV) causes severe neurologic complications and fetal aberrations. Vaccine development is hindered by potential safety concerns due to antibody cross-reactivity with dengue virus and the possibility of disease enhancement. In contrast, passive administration of anti-ZIKV antibodies engineered to prevent enhancement may be safe and effective. Here, we report on human monoclonal antibody Z021, a potent neutralizer that recognizes an epitope on the lateral ridge of the envelope domain III (EDIII) of ZIKV and is protective against ZIKV in mice. When administered to macaques undergoing a high-dose ZIKV challenge, a single anti-EDIII antibody selected for resistant variants. Co-administration of two antibodies, Z004 and Z021, which target distinct sites on EDIII, was associated with a delay and a 3- to 4-log decrease in peak viremia. Moreover, the combination of these antibodies engineered to avoid enhancement prevented viral escape due to mutation in macaques, a natural host for ZIKV. : Passive administration of anti-Zika human monoclonal antibodies could be an efficacious and safe alternative to vaccines for at-risk populations. Keeffe et al. show that administration of a combination of two monoclonal antibodies to macaques followed by high-dose intravenous Zika challenge reduces viremia and prevents the emergence of viral escape mutations. Keywords: flavivirus, antibodies, crystal structure, escape, macaques, prophylaxis, protection, epitope, antibody dependent enhancement
- Published
- 2018
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