Structural insights into the mechanisms of antibody-mediated neutralization of flavivirus infection: implications for vaccine development

Cell Host Microbe. 2008 Sep 11;4(3):229-38. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2008.08.004.

Abstract

Flaviviruses are a group of small RNA viruses that cause severe disease in humans worldwide and are the target of several vaccine development programs. A primary goal of these efforts is to elicit a protective humoral response directed against the envelope proteins arrayed on the surface of the flavivirus virion. Advances in the structural biology of these viruses has catalyzed rapid progress toward understanding the complexity of the flavivirus immunogen and the molecular basis of antibody-mediated neutralization. These insights have identified factors that govern the potency of neutralizing antibodies and will inform the design and evaluation of novel vaccines.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Antigens, Viral / chemistry
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • Complement Activation
  • Flavivirus / chemistry*
  • Flavivirus / immunology*
  • Flavivirus Infections / immunology*
  • Flavivirus Infections / therapy
  • Humans
  • Models, Immunological
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology
  • Viral Vaccines / chemistry*
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Viral Vaccines