Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that recently emerged in the South Pacific, Americas, and Caribbean islands, where the larger epidemics were documented. ZIKV infection in humans is responsible for neurological disorders and microcephaly. Flavivirus NS1 is a non-structural glycoprotein that is expressed on the cell surface and secreted as a hexameric lipoprotein particle. Intracellular NS1 exists as a dimer that is required for viral replication, whereas the secreted NS1 hexamer interacts with host factors, leading to pathophysiological conditions. In an effort to dispose of specific anti-ZIKV NS1 immune serum, Vero cells were transduced with a lentiviral vector containing the NS1 gene from an epidemic strain of ZIKV. We showed that stably transduced Vero/ZIKV NS1 cell clone was efficient in the secretion of recombinant NS1 oligomer. Immunization of adult rat with purified extracellular NS1 developed anti-ZIKV antibodies that specifically react with the NS1 dimer produced in human cells infected with African and Asian strains of ZIKV. The rat antibody against ZIKV NS1 dimer is a reliable biological tool that enables the immunological detection of secreted NS1 from host-cells infected with ZIKV.
Highlights
Emerging mosquito-transmitted Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to the Flavivirus genus of Flaviviridae family, and is related to other medically important flaviviruses, such as dengue (DENV), Japanese encephalitis (JEV), West Nile (WNV), and yellow fever (YFV) [1]
The first ZIKV outbreaks occurred in Western Pacific Micronesia in 2007, and a large epidemic was recorded in French Polynesia in 2013 [5,6]
In an effort to produce specific anti-ZIKV NS1 immune serum, we reported that immunization of adult rat with a crude Escherichia coli extract which overexpressed the N-terminal region of recombinant NS1 elicited the production of NS1 antiserum that reacts preferentially with the NS1 monomer [30]
Summary
Emerging mosquito-transmitted Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to the Flavivirus genus of Flaviviridae family, and is related to other medically important flaviviruses, such as dengue (DENV), Japanese encephalitis (JEV), West Nile (WNV), and yellow fever (YFV) [1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika fever a serious public health emergency in 2016 Flaviviruses, such as ZIKV, contain a positive single-stranded RNA genome encoding a large polyprotein that is processed co- and post-translationally into three structural proteins (C, prM/M, and E) and seven non-structural proteins, NS1 to NS5 [12,13]. Knowing the oligomeric nature of NS1, it is essential to dispose NS1 antibodies targeting the secreted form with aim of elucidating the role of hexameric lipoprotein particles in the ZIKV-mediated cell dysfunction. Such NS1-targeting antibodies will help to establish the NS1 function in the context of ZIKV infection, and in the search for NS1 targeting inhibitors. We showed that immunization with the secreted recombinant NS1 dimer elicits the production of antibody against NS1 dimer
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
