Molecular determinants of human neutralizing antibodies isolated from a patient infected with Zika virus

Qihui Wang, Huabing Yang, Xiaoqing Liu, Lianpan Dai, Tong Ma, Jianxun Qi, Gary Wong, Ruchao Peng, Sheng Liu, Junfu Li, Shihua Li, Jian Song, Jianying Liu, Jianhua He, Hui Yuan, Ying Xiong, Yong Liao, Jianhua Li, Jianping Yang, Zhou TongBryan D. Griffin, Yuhai Bi, Mifang Liang, Xiaoning Xu, Chuan Qin, Gong Cheng, Xinzheng Zhang, Peiyi Wang, Xiangguo Qiu, Gary Kobinger, Yi Shi, Jinghua Yan, George F. Gao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

131 Scopus citations

Abstract

The 2015-2016 outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) disease has affected many countries and is a major public health concern. ZIKV is associated with fetal microcephaly and neurological complications, and countermeasures are needed to treat and prevent ZIKV infection. We report the isolation of 13 specific human monoclonal antibodies from a single patient infected with ZIKV. Two of the isolated antibodies (Z23 and Z3L1) demonstrated potent ZIKV-specific neutralization in vitro without binding or neutralizing activity against strains 1 to 4 of dengue virus, the closest relative to ZIKV. These two antibodies provided postexposure protection to mice in vivo. Structural studies revealed that Z23 and Z3L1 bound to tertiary epitopes in envelope protein domain I, II, or III, indicating potential targets for ZIKV-specific therapy. Our results suggest the potential of antibody-based therapeutics and provide a structure-based rationale for the design of future ZIKV-specific vaccines.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number369ra179
JournalScience Translational Medicine
Volume8
Issue number369
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 14 2016
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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