Human antibody C10 neutralizes by diminishing Zika but enhancing dengue virus dynamics

One antibody, two modes of action against viruses

27 April 2022

An antibody disarms the viruses that cause dengue fever and Zika, but it does so in two completely different ways.

Antibodies are a key part of the body’s defence mechanism against infection by viruses. They bind to proteins on the virus’ surface, preventing the virus from attaching to and infecting cells.

Now, a team led by researchers from the National University of Singapore has discovered a totally new way that antibodies can take viruses out.

They found that a fragment of a human antibody deals with the Zika virus in the conventional way — by latching onto proteins on its surface. But in a surprise finding, the antibody fragment neutralized the dengue virus by burrowing into the virus’ surface and distorting the virus.

The researchers conjecture that this strategy may be used against other viruses besides the dengue virus.

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References

1. Cell 184, 6067-6080 (2021). doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.11.009