Potent dengue virus neutralization by a therapeutic antibody with low monovalent affinity requires bivalent engagement

PLoS Pathog. 2014 Apr 17;10(4):e1004072. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004072. eCollection 2014 Apr.

Abstract

We recently described our most potently neutralizing monoclonal antibody, E106, which protected against lethal Dengue virus type 1 (DENV-1) infection in mice. To further understand its functional properties, we determined the crystal structure of E106 Fab in complex with domain III (DIII) of DENV-1 envelope (E) protein to 2.45 Å resolution. Analysis of the complex revealed a small antibody-antigen interface with the epitope on DIII composed of nine residues along the lateral ridge and A-strand regions. Despite strong virus neutralizing activity of E106 IgG at picomolar concentrations, E106 Fab exhibited a ∼20,000-fold decrease in virus neutralization and bound isolated DIII, E, or viral particles with only a micromolar monovalent affinity. In comparison, E106 IgG bound DENV-1 virions with nanomolar avidity. The E106 epitope appears readily accessible on virions, as neutralization was largely temperature-independent. Collectively, our data suggest that E106 neutralizes DENV-1 infection through bivalent engagement of adjacent DIII subunits on a single virion. The isolation of anti-flavivirus antibodies that require bivalent binding to inhibit infection efficiently may be a rare event due to the unique icosahedral arrangement of envelope proteins on the virion surface.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing* / chemistry
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing* / immunology
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing* / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Viral* / chemistry
  • Antibodies, Viral* / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral* / pharmacology
  • Antibody Affinity
  • Dengue Virus* / chemistry
  • Dengue Virus* / genetics
  • Dengue Virus* / immunology
  • Dengue* / drug therapy
  • Dengue* / immunology
  • Epitopes / chemistry
  • Epitopes / genetics
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G* / chemistry
  • Immunoglobulin G* / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G* / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Viral Envelope Proteins* / chemistry
  • Viral Envelope Proteins* / genetics
  • Viral Envelope Proteins* / immunology
  • Virion / chemistry
  • Virion / genetics
  • Virion / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Epitopes
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • E protein TH Sman, Dengue virus