Neurotropic flavivirus threat in Europe: unveiling the potential of NS1 for diagnostic advancement and preventive and therapeutic interventions.
Abstract
Flaviviruses are a growing threat in Europe, where West Nile virus (WNV), Tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV), and Usutu virus (USUV) co-circulate. Human travel can also introduce other flaviviruses, like Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). New diagnostic and preventive methods are needed to reduce the risk of epidemics from these neurotropic viruses with sometimes serious medical consequences. NS1 is a potential target for diagnosis and prevention. It can be detected in the blood before symptoms, making it a promising biomarker for antigen-capture assays. However, these assays suffer from low specificity due to cross-reactivity. NS1 vaccination and passive transfer of anti-NS1 monoclonal antibodies protect mice from flavivirus infection. However, little is known about NS1 epitopes responsive to protection. My project aims to evaluate the potential of NS1 in flavivirus diagnosis and prevention. I will develop a unique set of highly specific monoclonal antibodies, which will be tested and validated for novel diagnostic applications and for finding protective epitopes for an NS1-subunit vaccine. This project can improve the monitoring, prevention, and management of flavivirus infections, reducing their impact on human health and welfare.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Delputte Peter
- Fellow: Ceconi Martina
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Development of virus-specific anti-NS1 antibodies for use in neurotropic flavivirus NS1 antigen capture-based diagnostics.
Abstract
Arthropod-borne flaviviruses represent an increasingly urgent threat even in Europe, where West Nile virus (WNV), Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and Usutu virus (USUV) already co-circulate. Furthermore, human travel from endemic areas periodically introduces other flaviviruses, like the Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV). Distinguishing between these neurotropic flaviviruses is becoming crucial because an early and precise diagnosis of flavivirus infection can improve infection prevention and clinical management. The presence of the viral non-structural protein 1 (NS1) in the blood can be determined even before symptoms appear, which makes it a promising biomarker for developing an antigen capture-based assay. The lack of specific monoclonal antibodies against NS1 on the market is the main reason why NS1 diagnostic tests are not commercially available for JEV, WNV, TBEV, and USUV. I will produce and characterize a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for the NS1 protein of these viruses using a subtractive immunization strategy. The mAbs will be tested and validated for the development of diagnostic tests that allow the discriminating of the flavivirus responsible for the infection unequivocally. The development of novel diagnostic techniques that can significantly enhance the detection of flavivirus infection will be made possible by the manufacture of this unique pool of mAbs.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Delputte Peter
- Fellow: Ceconi Martina
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project