Antigenicity and immunogenicity of Zika virus envelope recombinant proteins

Abstract

Flaviviruses are responsible for a large number of infections and their considerable morbidity and mortality. Among the Flaviviruses transmitted in Brazil, we can highlight those that are currently responsible for a large number of infections such as Dengue virus (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV). The viral envelope protein (E) is responsible for binding and fusion with the host cell membrane and is the main target of the neutralizing antibodies. The E protein consists of a transmembrane region and an ectodomain which is divided into three structural/functional domains: EDI (envelope domain I) central domain, EDII (envelope domain II) responsible for dimerization and contains a highly conserved fusion loop and EDIII (envelope domain III) that is involved in the binding process with the target cell. Due to the approximately 55% similarity between the proteins encoded by the ZIKV genome with the various DENV serotypes, it is difficult to distinguish the infection caused by both viruses. Thus, this project main's goal is to produce different recombinant proteins and DNA vaccines from the ZIKV viral envelope in order to sudy in detail the humoral immune response in ZIKV-infected patients (antigenicity) and also evaluate their immunogenic potential. The knowledge generated in this context can bring relevant information about regions of the envelope protein that induce antibodies or that can be used as vaccine candidates. (AU)