Analyzing the Human Serum Antibody Responses to a Live Attenuated Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine Candidate

Dengue virus serotypes 1-4 (DENV-1-4) are the most common vector-borne viral pathogens of humans and the etiological agents of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic syndrome. A live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine (TDV) developed by Takeda Vaccines has recently progressed to phase 3 safety and efficacy evaluation.

We analyzed the qualitative features of the neutralizing antibody (nAb) response induced in naive and DENV-immune individuals after TDV administration. Using DENV-specific human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and recombinant DENV displaying different serotype-specific Ab epitopes, we mapped the specificity of TDV-induced nAbs against DENV-1-3.

Nearly all subjects had high levels of DENV-2-specific nAbs directed to epitopes centered on domain III of the envelope protein. In some individuals, the vaccine induced nAbs that tracked with a DENV-1-specific neutralizing epitope centered on domain I of the envelope protein. The vaccine induced binding Abs directed to a DENV-3 type-specific neutralizing epitope, but findings of mapping of DENV-3 type-specific nAbs were inconclusive.

Here we provide qualitative measures of the magnitude and epitope specificity of the nAb responses to TDV. This information will be useful for understanding the performance of TDV in clinical trials and for identifying correlates of protective immunity.