Lambda-free light chain: A serum marker of dengue disease via NS3 protease-mediated antibody cleavage

ABSTRACTDengue poses a significant global public health threat, with diverse clinical manifestations due to complex interactions between the host and the pathogen. Recent reports have highlighted elevated serum-free light chain (FLC) levels in viral infectious diseases. Hence, our study aimed to inv...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Principais autores: Sheng-Hsuan Wang, Bai-Jiun Kuo, Tzu-Chuan Ho, Shu-Wen Wan, Ko-Lun Yen, Po-Hui Huang, Oscar Guey Chuen Perng, Po-Lin Chen, Yu-Wen Chien, Yu-Chih Lo
Formato: Artigo
Idioma:English
Publicado em: Taylor & Francis Group 2023-12-01
coleção:Virulence
Assuntos:
Acesso em linha:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21505594.2023.2279355
Descrição
Resumo:ABSTRACTDengue poses a significant global public health threat, with diverse clinical manifestations due to complex interactions between the host and the pathogen. Recent reports have highlighted elevated serum-free light chain (FLC) levels in viral infectious diseases. Hence, our study aimed to investigate serum FLC levels in dengue patients. The findings revealed elevated serum λ FLCs, which were associated with the severity of dengue. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis demonstrated that λ FLCs may serve as a serum marker for identifying dengue disease (AUC: 0.7825, sensitivity: 80, specificity: 71.43) and classifying severe dengue (AUC: 0.8102, sensitivity: 75, specificity: 79.52). The viral protease, Dengue virus (DENV) nonstructural protein 3 (NS3), acts as a protease that cleaves viral polyproteins as well as host substrates. Therefore, we proposed that antibodies might be potential targets of NS3 protease, leading to an increase in FLCs. LC/MS-MS analysis confirmed that λ FLCs were the predominant products after antibody degradation by NS3 protease. Additionally, purified NS3 protease cleaved both human IgG and DENV2-neutralizing antibodies, resulting in the presence of λ FLCs. Moreover, NS3 protease administration in vitro led to a reduction in the neutralizing efficacy of DENV2-neutralizing antibodies. In summary, the elevated serum λ FLC levels effectively differentiate dengue patients from healthy individuals and identify severe dengue. Furthermore, the elevation of serum λ FLCs is, at least in part, mediated through NS3 protease-mediated antibody cleavage. These findings provide new insights for developing diagnostic tools and understanding the pathogenesis of DENV infection.
ISSN:2150-5594
2150-5608