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Measuring Influenza Neutralizing Antibody Responses to AH3N2 Viruses in Human Sera by Microneutralization Assays Using MDCK-SIAT1 Cells
Published on: November 22, 2017
Tick-borne encephalitis virus neutralization by high dose intravenous immunoglobulin
Jana Elsterova1, Martin Palus1, Jana Sirmarova2
1Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100 Brno, Czechia; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, CZ-37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czechia; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, CZ-37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czechia.
High-titer tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) neutralizing antibodies in intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) demonstrated significant protection against lethal TBEV infection in mice. This suggests IVIG could be a potential therapy for severe TBE cases.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a severe neuroinfection caused by TBE virus (TBEV) with no current approved treatments.
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been proposed as a potential therapy for severe TBE cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the TBEV-neutralizing antibody titers in two IVIG lots.
- To assess the efficacy of these IVIG lots in treating lethal TBEV infection in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- In vitro assays were used to determine TBEV-neutralizing capacity of IVIG lots.
- Human neural cell lines were used to confirm IVIG activity.
- A lethal TBEV mouse model was employed to test therapeutic effects of IVIG.
Main Results:
- A >100-fold difference in TBEV-neutralizing capacity was observed between the two IVIG lots.
- IVIG with high TBEV-specific antibody titers provided 90% protection in TBEV-infected mice.
- IVIG lacking TBEV-specific antibodies showed no significant therapeutic effect.
Conclusions:
- IVIG lots with high TBEV antibody titers show potential as post-exposure prophylaxis or first-line therapy for severe TBE.
- No antibody-dependent enhancement of TBEV infectivity was observed with the tested IVIG preparations.
