Analysis of humoral immune response after immunization or infection using Zika virus recombinant envelope proteins

Abstract

Flaviviruses are responsible for a large number of infections with 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 (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses. Recently, a vaccine against Dengue has been licensed, but to date, there is no safe and effective vaccine against Zika virus infection. Comparative amino acid sequence analysis revealed approximately 55% identity between ZIKV and circulating DENV serotypes in Brazil. Such similarity hampers the appropriate diagnostic between both infections. In addition, the cross-recognition of different virus proteins by the immune system, may have implications for protection and pathogenesis.The viral envelope protein (E) is responsible for binding/fusion to host cell membrane and is the main target of the neutralizing antibodies. Due to these features, it has been evaluated as a potential vaccine candidate. The project main goal is to produce different ZIKV recombinant envelope proteins to evaluate the antigenicity using sera panels from patients infected with ZIKV and DENV and also analyze antibodies cross-reactivity. In addition, we plan to perform preclinical immunogenicity evaluation with the different recombinant proteins. (AU)