Major

Microbiology

Minor(s)

Biological Sciences

Advisor

Anuja Mathew

Advisor Department

Cell and Molecular Biology

Date

12-2018

Keywords

Dengue Virus; Zika Virus; ELISA; Immunoglobulin; Virology

Abstract

Introduction. Dengue Virus (DENV) and Zika Virus (ZIKV) are viruses that belong to the Flavivirus family. They are transmitted by the Aedes aegypti species of mosquitoes. Infection with DENV can result in no symptoms, mild symptoms which include fever, rash, and headache (dengue fever) or more severe symptoms which include hemorrhage, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and shock, dengue shock syndrome (DSS). ZIKV, until recently caused mild disease but an outbreak in Brazil was associated with fetal complications such as microcephaly or Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. Due to the similarity between ZIKV and DENV, antibodies (Abs) generated in humans to these pathogens are of great interest. Methods We used an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), to measure IgG subclass Abs (concentrations) in sera obtained from DENV and ZIKV immune donors. The sera were assayed to measure ZIKV and DENV-specific Abs using well characterized isotype-specific secondary Abs (IgG, IgG1-Fc, IgG1-Hinge, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4). The data was analyzed to compare antibody responses to multiple flavivirus antigens in the sera. Antibody composition can provide information about B-cell mediated immune response. Results. Several observations were made after assessing Ab responses in the sera from immune donors. We observed high IgG Abs to ZIKV virus like particles (VLPs) in sera from all donors. Additionally, IgG1 responses were dominant among subtypes as expected. Conclusions. This study generated data that was used to develop a profile of DENV and ZIKV -specific Abs which can be used to further develop an understanding of the immune response to these flaviviruses.

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