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The structural immunology of antibody protection against West Nile virus
Author(s) -
Diamond Michael S.,
Pierson Theodore C.,
Fremont Daved H.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2008.00676.x
Subject(s) - epitope , virology , monoclonal antibody , antibody , biology , neutralization , epitope mapping , viral envelope , virus , immunology
Summary: Recent investigations of the interaction between the West Nile virus (WNV) envelope protein (E) and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have elucidated fundamental insights into the molecular mechanisms of neutralization. Structural studies have defined an epitope on the lateral ridge of domain III (DIII‐lr) of the WNV E protein that is recognized by antibodies with the strongest neutralizing activity in vitro and in vivo . Antibodies that bind this epitope are highly potent because they efficiently block at a post‐entry step of viral infection with relatively low virion occupancy requirements. In this review, we discuss the structural, molecular, and immunologic basis for antibody‐mediated protection against WNV, and its implications for novel therapeutic or vaccine strategies.