The Human Antibody Response to Dengue Virus Infection

Dengue viruses (DENV) are the causative agents of dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Here we review the current state of knowledge about the human antibody response to dengue and identify important knowledge gaps. A large body of work has demonstrated that antibodies can neutraliz...

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Main Authors: Aravinda M. de Silva, Wahala M. P. B. Wahala
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2011-11-01
Series:Viruses
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/3/12/2374/
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author Aravinda M. de Silva
Wahala M. P. B. Wahala
author_facet Aravinda M. de Silva
Wahala M. P. B. Wahala
author_sort Aravinda M. de Silva
collection DOAJ
description Dengue viruses (DENV) are the causative agents of dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Here we review the current state of knowledge about the human antibody response to dengue and identify important knowledge gaps. A large body of work has demonstrated that antibodies can neutralize or enhance DENV infection. Investigators have mainly used mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to study interactions between DENV and antibodies. These studies indicate that antibody neutralization of DENVs is a “multi-hit” phenomenon that requires the binding of multiple antibodies to neutralize a virion. The most potently neutralizing mouse MAbs bind to surface exposed epitopes on domain III of the dengue envelope (E) protein. One challenge facing the dengue field now is to extend these studies with mouse MAbs to better understand the human antibody response. The human antibody response is complex as it involves a polyclonal response to primary and secondary infections with 4 different DENV serotypes. Here we review studies conducted with immune sera and MAbs isolated from people exposed to dengue infections. Most dengue-specific antibodies in human immune sera are weakly neutralizing and bind to multiple DENV serotypes. The human antibodies that potently and type specifically neutralize DENV represent a small fraction of the total DENV-specific antibody response. Moreover, these neutralizing antibodies appear to bind to novel epitopes including complex, quaternary epitopes that are only preserved on the intact virion. These studies establish that human and mouse antibodies recognize distinct epitopes on the dengue virion. The leading theory proposed to explain the increased risk of severe disease in secondary cases is antibody dependent enhancement (ADE), which postulates that weakly neutralizing antibodies from the first infection bind to the second serotype and enhance infection of FcγR bearing myeloid cells such as monocytes and macrophages. Here we review results from human, animal and cell culture studies relevant to the ADE hypothesis. By understanding how human antibodies neutralize or enhance DENV, it will be possible to better evaluate existing vaccines and develop the next generation of novel vaccines.
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spelling doaj.art-a1e63029d004452a9ec99b3bdbcaa8bb2022-12-21T17:16:39ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152011-11-013122374239510.3390/v3122374The Human Antibody Response to Dengue Virus InfectionAravinda M. de SilvaWahala M. P. B. WahalaDengue viruses (DENV) are the causative agents of dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Here we review the current state of knowledge about the human antibody response to dengue and identify important knowledge gaps. A large body of work has demonstrated that antibodies can neutralize or enhance DENV infection. Investigators have mainly used mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to study interactions between DENV and antibodies. These studies indicate that antibody neutralization of DENVs is a “multi-hit” phenomenon that requires the binding of multiple antibodies to neutralize a virion. The most potently neutralizing mouse MAbs bind to surface exposed epitopes on domain III of the dengue envelope (E) protein. One challenge facing the dengue field now is to extend these studies with mouse MAbs to better understand the human antibody response. The human antibody response is complex as it involves a polyclonal response to primary and secondary infections with 4 different DENV serotypes. Here we review studies conducted with immune sera and MAbs isolated from people exposed to dengue infections. Most dengue-specific antibodies in human immune sera are weakly neutralizing and bind to multiple DENV serotypes. The human antibodies that potently and type specifically neutralize DENV represent a small fraction of the total DENV-specific antibody response. Moreover, these neutralizing antibodies appear to bind to novel epitopes including complex, quaternary epitopes that are only preserved on the intact virion. These studies establish that human and mouse antibodies recognize distinct epitopes on the dengue virion. The leading theory proposed to explain the increased risk of severe disease in secondary cases is antibody dependent enhancement (ADE), which postulates that weakly neutralizing antibodies from the first infection bind to the second serotype and enhance infection of FcγR bearing myeloid cells such as monocytes and macrophages. Here we review results from human, animal and cell culture studies relevant to the ADE hypothesis. By understanding how human antibodies neutralize or enhance DENV, it will be possible to better evaluate existing vaccines and develop the next generation of novel vaccines.http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/3/12/2374/dengue virusantibodyneutralizationantibody dependent enhancement
spellingShingle Aravinda M. de Silva
Wahala M. P. B. Wahala
The Human Antibody Response to Dengue Virus Infection
Viruses
dengue virus
antibody
neutralization
antibody dependent enhancement
title The Human Antibody Response to Dengue Virus Infection
title_full The Human Antibody Response to Dengue Virus Infection
title_fullStr The Human Antibody Response to Dengue Virus Infection
title_full_unstemmed The Human Antibody Response to Dengue Virus Infection
title_short The Human Antibody Response to Dengue Virus Infection
title_sort human antibody response to dengue virus infection
topic dengue virus
antibody
neutralization
antibody dependent enhancement
url http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/3/12/2374/
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