Neutralizing antibodies that bind to the zika virus domain iii envelope region

Abstract

Antibodies to Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue 1 virus (DENV1) are provided. The amino acid sequences of the antibodies may be modified. Methods for prophylaxis and/or therapy by administering the antibodies and combinations thereof are provided. Immunological detection methods using the antibodies are provided. Also provided are vaccine compositions which comprise peptides derived from ZIKV and DENV1.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An isolated or recombinant antibody comprising (Z021):
 a heavy chain comprising: a CDR1 comprising GGSIDTYY (SEQ ID NO:6), a CDR2 comprising FYYSVDN (SEQ ID NO:7), and a CDR3 comprising ARNQPGGRAFDY (SEQ ID NO:8) (a Z021 heavy chain); and   a light chain comprising: a CDR1 comprising QSVSNY (SEQ ID NO:9), a CDR2 comprising DTS, and a CDR3 comprising QERNNWPLTWT (SEQ ID NO:10) (a Z021 light chain).   
     
     
         2 . The antibody of  claim 1  comprising at least one modification of its constant region, wherein the modification increases in vivo half-life of the antibody, or alters the ability of the antibody to bind to Fc receptors, or alters the ability of the antibody to cross placenta or to cross a blood-brain barrier or to cross a blood-testes barrier, or inhibits aggregation of the antibodies, or a combination of said modifications, or wherein the antibody is attached to a label or a substrate. 
     
     
         3 . The antibody of  claim 2 , comprising the modification that increases in vivo half-life of the antibody. 
     
     
         4 . The antibody of  claim 2 , comprising the modification that alters the ability of the antibody to bind to Fc receptors. 
     
     
         5 . The antibody of  claim 2 , comprising the modification that increases in vivo half-life of the antibody and the modification that alters the ability of the antibody to bind to Fc receptors. 
     
     
         6 . The antibody of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody is attached to the label or the substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The antibody of  claim 6 , wherein the antibody is present in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay or an ELISA assay control. 
     
     
         8 . The antibody of  claim 7  wherein the ELISA assay is a direct ELISA assay, an indirect ELISA assay, a sandwich ELISA assay, or a competition ELISA assay. 
     
     
         9 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the heavy chain comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 and the light chain comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:14. 
     
     
         10 . A method for prophylaxis or therapy of a viral infection comprising administering to an individual in need thereof an effective amount of the antibody of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the antibody comprises at least one modification of its constant region. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the heavy chain comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 and the light chain comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:14. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the individual is infected with or is at risk of being infected with a virus selected from the group consisting of Zika virus (ZIKV), dengue 1, 2, 3 or 4 viruses (DENV1-4), yellow fever virus (YFV), West Nile virus (WNV), or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein at least two antibodies are administered, and wherein at least one of the antibodies comprises the Z021 antibody. 
     
     
         15 . A polynucleotide encoding the heavy chain and the light chain of the antibody of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . The polynucleotide of  claim 15 , wherein the polynucleotide is in an expression vector. 
     
     
         17 . The polynucleotide of  claim 16 , wherein the heavy chain comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 and the light chain comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:14.