Scientists Identify Antibodies that Might Safeguard Against Alphaviruses

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have determined two antibodies that protect animals from disease brought on by alphaviruses. The antibodies were effective for every alphavirus checked, suggesting they possibly can create the basis of treatments or serve as a guide for a universal vaccine.

In the US, the alphavirus we stress most about is chikungunya virus, which can trigger debilitating joint inflammation. However, we also do see cases of encephalitis triggered by Eastern equine encephalitis infection. Alphaviruses were restricted to the tropics; however, they have recently spread out into new geographical areas. The majority are still uncommon; however, combined, they create numerous infections as well as a substantial worry of disease, and also we do not have specific therapies or injections for any one of them”, explained Michael Diamond.

The alphavirus team includes more than 30 types, split into two branches. Viruses such as chikungunya, Mayaro, O’nyong-nyong, and Ross River, cause fever, rash breakout, and arthritis, historically limited to Africa, Asia, and Europe. However, since 2013, chikungunya has made its way into the Caribbean and parts of North and South America. The other branch of alphaviruses, found in the Americas, contains the Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses and cause brain infections.

Diamond and colleagues formerly found a group of antibodies that counteract many members of the arthritis-causing branch of the alphavirus team. However, those antibodies did not work against every virus that triggered arthritis and fell short against the ones responsible for brain infections.

To locate antibodies that would shield against the whole alphavirus group, Diamond and colleagues -; including co-first authors Arthur S. Kim, Ph.D. After that, a graduate student and Natasha M. Kafai, an MD/Ph.D. pupil screened a collection of antibodies created by two individuals who had been contaminated with the chikungunya virus. They tested the antibodies against a panel of alphaviruses representing both branches. Two antibodies acknowledged every one of the alphaviruses checked.

Then, they assessed whether the antibodies might prevent joint inflammation or brain infection in animals. Using mice, they checked each antibody versus two alphaviruses that trigger arthritis and three that cause brain infections. Both antibodies safeguarded the animals from every one of the infections.

Originally published on Sciencedaily.com. Read the original article.

Reference: Kim, A.S., et al. (2021) Pan-protective anti-alphavirus human antibodies target a conserved E1 protein epitope. Cell.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2021.07.006.