Most neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies target novel epitopes requiring both Lassa virus glycoprotein subunits

Nat Commun. 2016 May 10:7:11544. doi: 10.1038/ncomms11544.

Abstract

Lassa fever is a severe multisystem disease that often has haemorrhagic manifestations. The epitopes of the Lassa virus (LASV) surface glycoproteins recognized by naturally infected human hosts have not been identified or characterized. Here we have cloned 113 human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for LASV glycoproteins from memory B cells of Lassa fever survivors from West Africa. One-half bind the GP2 fusion subunit, one-fourth recognize the GP1 receptor-binding subunit and the remaining fourth are specific for the assembled glycoprotein complex, requiring both GP1 and GP2 subunits for recognition. Notably, of the 16 mAbs that neutralize LASV, 13 require the assembled glycoprotein complex for binding, while the remaining 3 require GP1 only. Compared with non-neutralizing mAbs, neutralizing mAbs have higher binding affinities and greater divergence from germline progenitors. Some mAbs potently neutralize all four LASV lineages. These insights from LASV human mAb characterization will guide strategies for immunotherapeutic development and vaccine design.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Antigens, Viral / chemistry
  • Antigens, Viral / genetics
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • Arenavirus / immunology
  • Cross Reactions
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Epitopes / chemistry
  • Epitopes / genetics
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Humans
  • Lassa Fever / immunology
  • Lassa Fever / prevention & control
  • Lassa virus / genetics
  • Lassa virus / immunology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Epitopes
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • glycoprotein gp1, lassa virus
  • glycoprotein gp2, lassa virus