A Novel Neutralizing Antibody Targeting a Unique Cross-Reactive Epitope on the hi Loop of Domain II of the Envelope Protein Protects Mice against Duck Tembusu Virus.

ABSTRACT: The Flavivirus E protein induces protective immunity, and its Abs cause serious problems for serodiagnosis because of the difficulty in differentiating cross-reactive Abs. Moreover, cross-reactive Abs may increase disease severity after secondary Flavivirus infections via Ab-dependent enhancement. Cross-reactive epitopes are therefore critical for understanding serodiagnosis and improving the general knowledge of Flavivirus infections. A minimal epitope, 227GSSAGTWQN235, was identified by a neutralizing mAb 1G2 against duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV), which recognized only monomer E protein under nonreducing conditions. It was unexpectedly found that mutations in the epitope residues G231 or W233 completely abolished reactivity to 1G2 and sera from mice infected with Japane

SUBMITTER: Chen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7086385 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature