Evaluation of Poxvirus-Specific Antibody Response in Monkey Poxvirus-Negative and -Positive Cohorts

Understanding the antibody response in monkeypox virus (MPXV)-infected and uninfected individuals is essential for developing next-generation MPXV vaccines. This study aimed to characterize neutralizing antibody (NAb) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) responses in both groups, providing insights into immune protection and vaccine design.

A recombinant vaccinia Tian Tan (VTT) virus was utilized to develop high-throughput luciferase-reporter-based neutralization and ADCC assays. These assays were applied to evaluate the presence and levels of poxvirus-specific antibodies in MPXV-infected and uninfected individuals, including those vaccinated with vaccinia-based vaccines.

Poxvirus-specific NAbs were detected in MPXV-negative individuals with prior vaccinia vaccination. However, MSM individuals exhibited significantly lower pre-existing NAb levels than non-MSM individuals, potentially contributing to their higher susceptibility to MPXV infection. In individuals with mild MPXV infection, robust NAb and ADCC responses were observed, regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, HIV-positive individuals demonstrated comparable antibody responses following MPXV infection.

These findings highlight the potential role of pre-existing NAbs in MPXV susceptibility and the strong immune response elicited by mild MPXV infection. Further research is needed to determine whether MPXV-specific antibodies mitigate disease progression, which could inform the development of effective MPXV vaccines.