Development of a neutralizing antibody targeting linear epitope of the envelope protein domain III of ZIKV

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection represents an emerging infectious disease that poses an increasing threat to human health, especially after the ZIKV outbreak in Brazil in 2015. Unfortunately, there continues to be a lack of highly effective antiviral drugs or vaccines against ZIKV. In this study, we expressed the ZIKV envelope protein domain III (ZIKV EDIII) in E. coli strain BL21. The purified recombinant protein was used to immunize mice to produce monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). After 6 screening and 5 subcloning cycles, 10 monoclonal cell lines that stably produced antibodies, termed 2F5, 5B8, 6G6, 7E12, 8B6, 17E6, 19E7, 20F4, 26G6, and 37E6, were identified. The mAb 8B6 could neutralize ZIKV and recognize the ZIKV EDIII epitope (GRLITANPVITESTE). Another 9 mAbs did not exhibit neutralizing activity; however, they could specifically recognize the ZIKV EDIII and ZIKV lysate, suggesting their potential use in the diagnosis of ZIKV.