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Updated: May 5, 2026

Establishing Mouse Models for Zika Virus-induced Neurological Disorders Using Intracerebral Injection Strategies: Embryonic, Neonatal, and Adult
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Establishing Mouse Models for Zika Virus-induced Neurological Disorders Using Intracerebral Injection Strategies: Embryonic, Neonatal, and Adult

Published on: April 26, 2018

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Neutralizing human antibodies prevent Zika virus replication and fetal disease in mice

Gopal Sapparapu1,2, Estefania Fernandez3, Nurgun Kose2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

Nature
|November 8, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Human monoclonal antibodies effectively neutralize Zika virus (ZIKV) and protect against maternal-fetal transmission. This research offers a promising therapeutic strategy against ZIKV infection.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

  • Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes.
  • ZIKV infection during pregnancy can lead to severe congenital birth defects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop potential therapeutic agents against ZIKV.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of a broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibody (ZIKV-117) in protecting against ZIKV infection and transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of human monoclonal antibodies from ZIKV-infected subjects.
  • Characterization of antibody neutralizing activity and epitope mapping.
  • Therapeutic efficacy studies in pregnant and non-pregnant mouse models.

Main Results:

  • A subset of isolated antibodies demonstrated potent ZIKV neutralization.
  • ZIKV-117 broadly neutralized diverse ZIKV strains and recognized a unique quaternary epitope.
  • Monoclonal antibody treatment significantly reduced ZIKV-related pathology, maternal-fetal transmission, and mortality in mice.

Conclusions:

  • Neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies are effective therapeutics against ZIKV.
  • ZIKV-117 provides protection against maternal-fetal transmission and ZIKV-induced disease.
  • Findings inform structure-based vaccine design for ZIKV.

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