Immature dengue virus: a veiled pathogen?

ABSTRACT: Cells infected with dengue virus release a high proportion of immature prM-containing virions. In accordance, substantial levels of prM antibodies are found in sera of infected humans. Furthermore, it has been recently described that the rates of prM antibody responses are significantly higher in patients with secondary infection compared to those with primary infection. This suggests that immature dengue virus may play a role in disease pathogenesis. Interestingly, however, numerous functional studies have revealed that immature particles lack the ability to infect cells. In this report, we show that fully immature dengue particles become highly infectious upon interaction with prM antibodies. We demonstrate that prM antibodies facilitate efficient binding and cell entry of immature parti

SUBMITTER: Rodenhuis-Zybert IA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2798752 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature