Evaluation of the therapeutic potential a monoclonal antibody against dengue virus infection

Abstract

Dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) infections are extremely important for public health, being endemic in 141 countries. Although most signs and symptoms of the disease are mild and self-limiting, it is known that grave infections by DENV and ZIKV can lead to complications. According to data from the Pan American Health Organization, all four DENV serotypes lead to approximately 500,000 hospitalizations per year with hemorrhagic syndrome due to hemorrhagic syndrome. Unfortunately, there are still a lack of higher effective antiviral drugs or vaccine against this viruses. The discovery of antiviral drugs related to these Flaviviruses needs to be further explored. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been widely used for the treatment of viral infections and, currently, there is no licensed mAb for dengue control. Previous studies carried out by the Laboratory for Targeting Antigens for Dendritic Cells in partnership with the Laboratory for Vaccine Development, both at ICB/USP, characterize in vitro and in vivo an anti-Zika mAb called A9Z. It was seen that mAb A9Z recognizes the cross-form with envelope proteins (E) of DENV serotypes 1, 2 and 3, in addition to neutralizing these viruses in vitro. The administration of Ab A9Z in mice immunocompromised ZIKV infected realized the evaluation of the protective potential, both in prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. The proposal aims to evaluate the use of mAb A9Z as a drug for treatment against DENV infection in a murine model. The study will be a strategy defined by the company ImunoTera, which will have the function of coordinating and giving continuity to the continuity of treatment with the dengue virus. (AU)