Antibodies against nonstructural protein 1 protect mice from dengue virus-induced mast cell activation

The N and C-terminal deleted variant of the dengue virus NS1 protein is a potential candidate for dengue vaccine development

NS1 is an elusive dengue protein, involved in viral replication, assembly, pathogenesis, and immune evasion. Its levels in blood plasm are positively related to disease severity like thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage, and vascular leakage. Despite its pathogenic roles, NS1 is being used in various vaccine formulations due to its sequence conservancy, ability to produce protective antibodies and low risk for inducing antibody-dependent enhancement. In this study, we have used bioinformatics tools and reported literature to develop an NS1 variant (dNS1). Molecular docking studies were performed to evaluate the receptor-binding ability of the NS1 and dNS1 with TLR4. NS1 and dNS1 (153 to 312 amino acid region) genes were cloned, expressed and protein was purified followed by refolding. Docking studies showed the binding of NS1 and dNS1 with the TLR4 receptor which suggests that N and C-terminal sequences of NS1 are not critical for receptor binding. Antibodies against NS1 and dNS1 were raised in rabbits and binding affinity of anti-dNS1 anti-NS1 sera was evaluated against both NS1 and dNS1. Similar results were observed through western blotting which highlight that N and C-terminal deletion of NS1 does not compromise the immunogenic potential of dNS1 hence, supports its use in future vaccine formulations as a substitute for NS1.

Potential Protective Effect of Dengue NS1 Human Monoclonal Antibodies against Dengue and Zika Virus Infections

Due to the lack of an effective therapeutic treatment to flavivirus, dengue virus (DENV) nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) has been considered to develop a vaccine owing to its lack of a role in antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). However, both NS1 and its antibody have shown cross-reactivity to host molecules and have stimulated anti-DENV NS1 antibody-mediated endothelial damage and platelet dysfunction. To overcome the pathogenic events and reactogenicity, human monoclonal antibodies (HuMAbs) against DENV NS1 were generated from DENV-infected patients. Herein, the four DENV NS1-specific HuMAbs revealed the therapeutic effects in viral neutralization, reduction of viral replication, and enhancement of cell cytolysis of DENV and zika virus (ZIKV) via complement pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrate that DENV and ZIKV NS1 trigger endothelial dysfunction, leading to vascular permeability in vitro. Nevertheless, the pathogenic effects from NS1 were impeded by 2 HuMAbs (D25-4D4C3 and D25-2B11E7) and also protected the massive cytokines stimulation (interleukin [IL-]-1b, IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-9, IL-13, IL-17, eotaxin, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, Inducible protein-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-1 α, MIP-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, platelet-derived growth factor, and RANTES). Collectively, our findings suggest that the novel protective NS1 monoclonal antibodies generated from humans has multiple therapeutic benefits against DENV and ZIKV infections.

Development of Bacteriophage Virus-Like Particle Vaccines Displaying Conserved Epitopes of Dengue Virus Non-Structural Protein 1

Dengue virus (DENV) is a major global health problem, with over half of the world's population at risk of infection. Despite over 60 years of efforts, no licensed vaccine suitable for population-based immunization against DENV is available. Here, we describe efforts to engineer epitope-based vaccines against DENV non-structural protein 1 (NS1). NS1 is present in DENV-infected cells as well as secreted into the blood of infected individuals. NS1 causes disruption of endothelial cell barriers, resulting in plasma leakage and hemorrhage. Immunizing against NS1 could elicit antibodies that block NS1 function and also target NS1-infected cells for antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity. We identified highly conserved regions of NS1 from all four DENV serotypes. We generated synthetic peptides to these regions and chemically conjugated them to bacteriophage Qβ virus-like particles (VLPs). Mice were immunized two times with the candidate vaccines and sera were tested for the presence of antibodies that bound to the cognate peptide, recombinant NS1 from all four DENV serotypes, and DENV-2-infected cells. We found that two of the candidate vaccines elicited antibodies that bound to recombinant NS1, and one candidate vaccine elicited antibodies that bound to DENV-infected cells. These results show that an epitope-specific vaccine against conserved regions of NS1 could be a promising approach for DENV vaccines or therapeutics to bind circulating NS1 protein.

Requirement of Fc-Fc Gamma Receptor Interaction for Antibody-Based Protection against Emerging Virus Infections

Identification of therapeutics against emerging and re-emerging viruses remains a continued priority that is only reinforced by the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Advances in monoclonal antibody (mAb) isolation, characterization, and production make it a viable option for rapid treatment development. While mAbs are traditionally screened and selected based on potency of neutralization in vitro, it is clear that additional factors contribute to the in vivo efficacy of a mAb beyond viral neutralization. These factors include interactions with Fc receptors (FcRs) and complement that can enhance neutralization, clearance of infected cells, opsonization of virions, and modulation of the innate and adaptive immune response. In this review, we discuss recent studies, primarily using mouse models, that identified a role for Fc-FcγR interactions for optimal antibody-based protection against emerging and re-emerging virus infections.

Mast Cells in the Skin: Defenders of Integrity or Offenders in Inflammation?

Mast cells (MCs) are best-known as key effector cells of immediate-type allergic reactions that may even culminate in life-threatening anaphylactic shock syndromes. However, strategically positioned at the host–environment interfaces and equipped with a plethora of receptors, MCs also play an important role in the first-line defense against pathogens. Their main characteristic, the huge amount of preformed proinflammatory mediators embedded in secretory granules, allows for a rapid response and initiation of further immune effector cell recruitment. The same mechanism, however, may account for detrimental overshooting responses. MCs are not only detrimental in MC-driven diseases but also responsible for disease exacerbation in other inflammatory disorders. Focusing on the skin as the largest immune organ, we herein review both beneficial and detrimental functions of skin MCs, from skin barrier integrity via host defense mechanisms to MC-driven inflammatory skin disorders. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of IgE-independent pathways of MC activation and their role in sustained chronic skin inflammation and disease exacerbation.

Mast Cell Responses to Viruses and Pathogen Products

Mast cells are well accepted as important sentinel cells for host defence against selected pathogens. Their location at mucosal surfaces and ability to mobilize multiple aspects of early immune responses makes them critical contributors to effective immunity in several experimental settings. However, the interactions of mast cells with viruses and pathogen products are complex and can have both detrimental and positive impacts. There is substantial evidence for mast cell mobilization and activation of effector cells and mobilization of dendritic cells following viral challenge. These cells are a major and under-appreciated local source of type I and III interferons following viral challenge. However, mast cells have also been implicated in inappropriate inflammatory responses, long term fibrosis, and vascular leakage associated with viral infections. Progress in combating infection and boosting effective immunity requires a better understanding of mast cell responses to viral infection and the pathogen products and receptors we can employ to modify such responses. In this review, we outline some of the key known responses of mast cells to viral infection and their major responses to pathogen products. We have placed an emphasis on data obtained from human mast cells and aim to provide a framework for considering the complex interactions between mast cells and pathogens with a view to exploiting this knowledge therapeutically. Long-lived resident mast cells and their responses to viruses and pathogen products provide excellent opportunities to modify local immune responses that remain to be fully exploited in cancer immunotherapy, vaccination, and treatment of infectious diseases.

The Involvement of Neuroinflammation in Dengue Viral Disease: Importance of Innate and Adaptive Immunity

Neuroinflammation (inflammation in brain) has been known to play an important role in the development of dengue virus disease. Recently, studies from both clinical and experimental models suggest the involvement of neuroinflammation in dengue viral disease. Studies in clinical setup demonstrated that, microglial cells are actively involved in the patients having dengue virus infection, showing involvement of innate immune response in neuroinflammation. It was further proved that, clinical isolates of dengue-2 virus were able to initiate the pathologic response when injected in the mice brain. Natural killer cells were also found to play a crucial role to activate adaptive immune response. Notably, CXCL10/IFN-inducible protein 10 and CXCR3 are involved in dengue virus-mediated pathogenesis and play an important role in the development of dengue virus-mediated paralysis. In a latest report, it was seen that intracranial injection of dengue virus increases the CD8+ T-cell infiltration in brain, showing an important mechanism of neuroinflammation during the dengue virus infection. A similar study has described that, when DENV-3 is injected into the mice, it enhances the infiltration of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells as well as neutrophils. Cells immune-reactive against NS3 antigen were found throughout the brain. In conclusion, we focus on the various molecular mechanisms which contribute to the basic understanding about the role of neuroinflammation in dengue fever. These mechanisms will help in better understanding dengue pathophysiology and thus help in the development of possible therapeutics.

The monocyte-macrophage-mast cell axis in dengue pathogenesis

Dengue virus, the causative agent of dengue disease which may have hemorrhagic complications, poses a global health threat. Among the numerous target cells for dengue virus in humans are monocytes, macrophages and mast cells which are important regulators of vascular integrity and which undergo dramatic cellular responses after infection by dengue virus. The strategic locations of these three cell types, inside blood vessels (monocytes) or outside blood vessels (macrophages and mast cells) allow them to respond to dengue virus infection with the production of both intracellular and secretory factors which affect virus replication, vascular permeability and/or leukocyte extravasation. Moreover, the expression of Fc receptors on the surface of monocytes, macrophages and mast cells makes them important target cells for antibody-enhanced dengue virus infection which is a major risk factor for severe dengue disease, involving hemorrhage. Collectively, these features of monocytes, macrophages and mast cells contribute to both beneficial and harmful responses of importance to understanding and controlling dengue infection and disease.

Human antibodies targeting Zika virus NS1 provide protection against disease in a mouse model

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus closely related to dengue virus that can cause severe disease in humans, including microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. Specific treatments and vaccines for Zika virus are not currently available. Here, we isolate and characterize four monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from an infected patient that target the non-structural protein NS1. We show that while these antibodies are non-neutralizing, NS1-specific mAbs can engage FcγR without inducing antibody dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection in vitro. Moreover, we demonstrate that mAb AA12 has protective efficacy against lethal challenges of African and Asian lineage strains of Zika virus in Stat2^–/– mice. Protection is Fc-dependent, as a mutated antibody unable to activate known Fc effector functions or complement is not protective in vivo. This study highlights the importance of the ZIKV NS1 protein as a potential vaccine antigen.

Zika virus infection can cause severe disease in humans and there are currently no specific treatments or vaccines. Here, Bailey et al. isolate antibodies recognizing non-structural protein NS1 and show that they protect mice from disease by an Fc-dependent, non-neutralizing mechanism.

Increased Mast Cell Activation in Mongolian Gerbils Infected by Hepatitis E Virus

Recently, mechanism study of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has attracted an increasing attention because of the growing rate of the acute hepatitis caused by the virus over the world. As an important initiate in the inflammation, mast cells (MCs) play a critical role in maintaining a healthy physiology. However, the function of the MCs in the acute hepatitis caused by HEV is still unclear. In the present study, mongolian gerbils infected by HEV were used as an animal model to evaluate the role of MCs in the HEV infection. The positive ELISA and RT-PCR results showed the gerbils was successfully infected with HEV. The number of mast cell in the liver and the small intestine in the infected animals were growing higher significantly than the control group. In addition, higher expression of the tryptase and 5-HT in the liver and the intestine detected by immunohistochemical method and western blot also indicate the activation of MCs in the infection. These results suggest that MCs play an important role in the hepatitis E.

The Good, the Bad, and the Shocking: The Multiple Roles of Dengue Virus Nonstructural Protein 1 in Protection and Pathogenesis

Dengue virus (DENV) is the most prevalent medically important mosquito-borne virus in the world. Upon DENV infection of a host cell, DENV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) can be found intracellularly as a monomer, associated with the cell surface as a dimer, and secreted as a hexamer into the bloodstream. NS1 plays a variety of roles in the viral life cycle, particularly in RNA replication and immune evasion of the complement pathway. Over the past several years, key roles for NS1 in the pathogenesis of severe dengue disease have emerged, including direct action of the protein on the vascular endothelium and triggering release of vasoactive cytokines from immune cells, both of which result in endothelial hyperpermeability and vascular leak. Importantly, the adaptive immune response generates a robust response against NS1, and its potential contribution to dengue vaccines is also discussed.

Dengue virus non-structural protein 1: a pathogenic factor, therapeutic target, and vaccine candidate

Dengue virus (DENV) infection is the most common mosquito-transmitted viral infection. DENV infection can cause mild dengue fever or severe dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)/dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Hemorrhage and vascular leakage are two characteristic symptoms of DHF/DSS. However, due to the limited understanding of dengue pathogenesis, no satisfactory therapies to treat nor vaccine to prevent dengue infection are available, and the mortality of DHF/DSS is still high. DENV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1), which can be secreted in patients’ sera, has been used as an early diagnostic marker for dengue infection for many years. However, the roles of NS1 in dengue-induced vascular leakage were described only recently. In this article, the pathogenic roles of DENV NS1 in hemorrhage and vascular leakage are reviewed, and the possibility of using NS1 as a therapeutic target and vaccine candidate is discussed.