Activity of domain III-specific antibodies in early convalescence: A case study

The Dengue virus complex (DENV), formed by four serotypes, constitutes the most important arbovirus affecting humans. The structural domain III of their envelope protein (DIII) elicits strongly neutralizing serotype-specific antibodies. Contrasting results have been obtained regarding their role in the serum neutralizing activity of infected patients. We used a DENV immune serum from a secondary infection to examine the impact of characterizing the anti-DIII antibody response after affinity purification with recombinant DIII proteins to eliminate potential interferences from the interactions with human plasma proteins and other anti-DENV antibodies. Total anti-DENV IgG repertoire and anti-DIIIE antibodies were compared in functionality. In early convalescence, reactivity of anti-DIII antibodies is serotype specific and exhibits the strongest reactivity with infecting serotypes. Purification of anti-DIII antibodies emphasizes the reactivity profile as compared to total IgG fraction and serum. Serotype-specificity of the virus neutralization activity correlated with the apparent kD of the binding to recombinant DIIIs.