Antibodies to West Nile virus: a double-edged sword.
Antibodies, although critical for host defense against West Nile virus (WNV), can both neutralize and enhance viral infection. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Pierson et al. dissect these opposing effects and demonstrate that, when 120 epitopes are available per WNV virion, approximately 25 are occupied by antibody at 50% neutralization. At lower occupancies, enhancement of infection dominates; at higher ones, neutralization ensues. These results are important for WNV vaccine design and for potential therapeutic use of antibodies to WNV.
Klasse
Per Johan
PJ
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Weill Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 62, New York, NY 10021, USA. pek2003@med.cornell.edu
Burton
Dennis R
DR
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D009033:Culicidae / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral