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Virology2006; 359(2); 336-348; doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2006.08.047

The neutralizing antibody response against West Nile virus in naturally infected horses.

Abstract: A major neutralizing epitope (here referred to as the T332 epitope) located on the lateral surface of domain III (DIII) of the West Nile virus (WNV) envelope protein has been identified based on the analysis of murine monoclonal antibodies. However, little is known about the humoral immune response against WNV in a natural host or whether DIII in general or the T332 epitope in particular are important targets of neutralizing antibodies in vivo. To characterize the types of antibodies produced during infection with WNV, we studied a group of naturally infected horses. Using immune adsorption assays coupled with the use of virus particles bearing mutations in the T332 epitope, we found that in some animals neutralizing activity against DIII and the T332 epitope was below the limit of detection. In contrast, some animals generated a significant fraction of neutralizing activity to DIII and the T332 epitope. Thus, while antibodies to the T332 epitope did not represent a significant fraction of the total antibody response in the infected animals studied, in some horses, they comprised a significant fraction of neutralizing activity, making this an important but far from dominant neutralizing epitope. Rather, the neutralizing response to WNV generated in infected horses is both variable and polyclonal in nature, with epitopes within and outside of DIII playing important roles.
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Publication Date: 2006-10-20 PubMed ID: 17055550DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2006.08.047Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article explores the response of neutralizing antibodies against West Nile Virus (WNV) in horses which were naturally infected. The study specifically focuses on the T332 epitope of the WNV and finds the antibodies’ response to it and to domain III (DIII) is variable among horses, thus remarking the complexity and polyclonality of the immune response in these animals.

Overview of WNV and T332 epitope

  • The study stresses on the West Nile Virus (WNV) – a virus causing fever, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). The T332 epitope, located on the lateral surface of domain III (DIII) of the WNV envelope protein, has previously been identified as a significant neutralizing epitope based on murine monoclonal antibodies’ analysis.
  • The T332 epitope acts as a “target” for antibodies, prompting an immune response against the virus. However, the actual significance of this epitope, and DIII in general, in the neutralizing antibody response within a naturally infected host was relatively unknown before this study.

Study on Infected Horses

  • In this study, researchers evaluated the antibody response in a group of horses that were naturally infected with WNV. They specifically looked at the neutralizing activity against DIII and the T332 epitope.
  • They used immune adsorption assays in conjunction with virus particles carrying mutations in the T332 epitope to characterize and analyze the antibodies’ response.

Results

  • Findings revealed that some horses’ neutralizing activity against DIII and the T332 epitope was lower than the detection limit, indicating either a lack of or an extremely low level of neutralizing antibodies targeting these areas.
  • In contrast, others showed a significant proportion of neutralizing activity against DIII and the T332 epitope, implying a strong antibody response.
  • Overall, the results uncovered that the response to the T332 epitope varied considerably among horses. However, in some cases, the antibodies targeting the T332 epitope composed a significant portion of the neutralizing activity, thus highlighting its crucial role in immune response.

Conclusion

  • The research concluded that the neutralizing response to WNV in infected horses is both variable and polyclonal – meaning that multiple types of antibodies are produced in response to the same antigen.
  • The study also noted that epitopes within and outside of DIII play key roles, emphasizing that the immune response encompasses more targets than just the T332 epitope or DIII alone.

Cite This Article

APA
Sánchez MD, Pierson TC, Degrace MM, Mattei LM, Hanna SL, Del Piero F, Doms RW. (2006). The neutralizing antibody response against West Nile virus in naturally infected horses. Virology, 359(2), 336-348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2006.08.047

Publication

Virology
ISSN: 0042-6822
NlmUniqueID: 0110674
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 359
Issue: 2
Pages: 336-348

Researcher Affiliations

Sánchez, Melissa D
  • Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, 225 Johnson Pavilion, 3610 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Pierson, Theodore C
    Degrace, Marciela M
      Mattei, Lisa M
        Hanna, Sheri L
          Del Piero, Fabio
            Doms, Robert W

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Antibodies, Viral / blood
              • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
              • Antibody Affinity
              • Cell Line
              • Epitopes / chemistry
              • Epitopes / immunology
              • Horse Diseases / blood
              • Horse Diseases / immunology
              • Horse Diseases / virology
              • Horses
              • Humans
              • Neutralization Tests
              • Protein Conformation
              • Viral Envelope Proteins / chemistry
              • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology
              • West Nile Fever / blood
              • West Nile Fever / immunology
              • West Nile Fever / veterinary

              Grant Funding

              • U54 457173 / PHS HHS
              • F31 RR05074 / NCRR NIH HHS
              • T32 AI-07324 / NIAID NIH HHS

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