Analysis of human monoclonal antibodies generated by dengue virus-specific memory B cells

Viral Immunol. 2012 Oct;25(5):348-59. doi: 10.1089/vim.2012.0010. Epub 2012 Aug 30.

Abstract

Dengue, caused by the four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV), represents an expanding global health challenge. The potential for serotype-cross-reactive antibodies to exacerbate disease during a secondary infection with a heterologous DENV serotype has driven efforts to study human DENV-specific antibodies. Most DENV-specific antibodies generated in humans are serotype-cross-reactive, weakly neutralizing, and directed against the immature pre-membrane (prM), envelope (E), and nonstructural 1 (NS1) proteins. To broaden the characterization of human DENV-specific antibodies, we assessed B-cell responses by ELISpot assays and isolated B cells from the peripheral blood of a human subject with previous DENV infection. Forty-eight human IgG monoclonal antibodies (hMAbs) were initially characterized by their potential to bind to an inactivated lysate of DENV-infected cells. Subsequently, most DENV-specific hMAbs were found to bind soluble, recombinant E protein (rE). Two hMAbs were unable to bind rE, despite strongly binding to the DENV-infected cell lysate. Further analyses showed that these two hMAbs bound conformation-dependent, reduction-sensitive epitopes on E protein. These data shed light on the breadth of DENV-specific hMAbs generated within a single immune donor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Dengue / immunology*
  • Dengue / virology
  • Dengue Virus / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antigens, Viral
  • NS1 protein, Flavivirus
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • prM protein, Flavivirus
  • glycoprotein E, Flavivirus