Human antibody responses after dengue virus infection are highly cross-reactive to Zika virus

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1607931113
• Publication Date: 2016-06-29T17:09:31Z
• Authors: Lalita Priyamvada; Kendra M. Quicke; William H. Hudson; Nattawat Onlamoon; Jaturong Sewatanon; Srilatha Edupuganti; Kovit Pattanapany...; Kulkanya Chokepha...; Mark J. Mulligan; Patrick C. Wilson; Rafi Ahmed; Mehul S. Suthar; Jens Wrammert
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Zika Virus; Cross Reactions; Dengue Virus; Monocytes; 3. Good health; Dengue; 03 medical and health sciences; Viral Envelope Proteins; Neutralization Tests; Antibody Formation; Chlorocebus aethiops; Animals; Humans; Amino Acid Sequence; Vero Cells

Significance In this study, we address the issue of cross-reactivity between dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) by testing sera and plasmablast-derived monoclonal antibodies from dengue patients against ZIKV. We show that both acute and convalescent dengue sera potently bind and neutralize ZIKV and that this cross-reactivity is also evident at the monoclonal level. We also demonstrate in vitro antibody-dependent enhancement of ZIKV infection in the presence of dengue-induced antibodies. Our findings strongly suggest that preexisting dengue antibodies may modulate immune responses to ZIKV infection. These data are timely and highly relevant from a public health standpoint given that a majority of regions currently experiencing Zika virus epidemics are endemic for dengue.