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Updated: Apr 11, 2026
Detection of Neutralization-sensitive Epitopes in Antigens Displayed on Virus-Like Particle VLP-Based Vaccines Using a Capture Assay
Published on: February 10, 2022
Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies against EV71 screened from mice immunized with yeast-produced virus-like particles
Tao Lin1, Lingzhi Xianyu, Songya Lyu
1State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
Abstract:
Periodic outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) occur in children under 5 years old, and can cause death in some cases. The C4 strain of enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the main pathogen that causes HFMD in China. Although no drugs against EV71 are available, some studies have shown that candidate vaccines or viral capsid proteins can produce anti-EV71 immunity. In this study, female BABL/c mice (6-8 weeks old) were immunized with virus-like particles (VLPs) of EV71 produced in yeast to screen for anti-EV71 antibodies. Two hybridomas that could produce neutralizing antibodies against EV71 were obtained. Both neutralizing mAbs (D4 and G12) were confirmed to bind the VP1 capsid protein of EV71, and could protect >95% cells from 100 TCID50 EV71 infection at 25 µg/mL solution (lowest concentration). Those two neutralizing mAbs identified in the study may be promising candidates in development for mAbs to treat EV71 infection, and utilized as suitable reagents for use in diagnostic tests and biological studies.
Insights
Researchers developed neutralizing antibodies against enterovirus 71 (EV71), a major cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. These antibodies show promise for treating EV71 infections and for diagnostic applications.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreaks, primarily caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71) in China, pose a significant threat to young children.
- Current treatment options for EV71 infections are limited, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop neutralizing antibodies against the EV71 virus.
- To evaluate the potential of these antibodies as therapeutic agents and diagnostic tools.
Main Methods:
- EV71 virus-like particles (VLPs) produced in yeast were used to immunize female BABL/c mice.
- Hybridoma technology was employed to isolate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with neutralizing activity against EV71.
- The binding affinity of the identified mAbs to the EV71 VP1 capsid protein was confirmed.
Main Results:
- Two hybridomas producing neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), designated D4 and G12, were successfully generated.
- Both D4 and G12 mAbs demonstrated effective neutralization of EV71, protecting over 95% of cells from infection at a concentration of 25 µg/mL.
- These mAbs were confirmed to bind to the VP1 capsid protein of EV71.
Conclusions:
- The identified neutralizing mAbs (D4 and G12) represent promising candidates for the development of antibody-based therapies against EV71 infections.
- These mAbs could also serve as valuable reagents for diagnostic assays and further biological research related to EV71.
