Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies Against West Nile Virus
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that can cause fever and, in some cases, severe neurologic disease. There is no approved human vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for WNV.
Researchers at NIAID's Vaccine Research Center (VRC), working with collaborators at Sheba Medical Center under the PREMISE program, identified five new human monoclonal antibodies that potently neutralize WNV. These antibodies bind the viral envelope (E) protein, with data indicating recognition of E dimers or quaternary epitopes on the virion.
The invention includes compositions comprising the antibodies alone or in combination, nucleic acids encoding them, vectors and host cells for production, and methods for preventing, treating, or detecting WNV infection. The antibodies may be formulated for therapeutic administration, including emergency-use settings, and may also support diagnostic and research applications.
- Prevention or treatment antibodies for WNV, including use alone or in combination
- Antibodies that strongly target the WNV E protein
- Potential treatments for WNV outbreak response and prevention in high-risk populations
- Genetic and cell-engineering tools for antibody production and product development
- Antibodies for WNV detection, surveillance, and research tests
- Potential intravenous treatments for patients with WNV
- Shown to strongly neutralize WNV at low concentrations in laboratory cell-based studies
- Novel antibodies with distinct molecular features not previously reported in scientific literature
- Human monoclonal antibodies targeting E dimer or quaternary epitopes on the WNV virion
- Potential applications in WNV treatment, diagnostics, and surveillance
- Collaboration may help speed development to support WNV outbreak response