Immunoglobulin g antibody-mediated enhancement of measles virus infection can bypass the protective antiviral immune response

J Virol. 2006 Sep;80(17):8530-40. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00593-06.

Abstract

Antibodies to viral surface glycoproteins play a crucial role in immunity to measles by blocking both virus attachment and subsequent fusion with the host cell membrane. Here, we demonstrate that certain immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies can also enhance the entry of measles virus (MV) into monocytes and macrophages. Antibody-dependent enhancement of infectivity was observed in mouse and human macrophages using virions opsonized by a murine monoclonal antibody against the MV hemagglutinin (H) glycoprotein, polyclonal mouse anti-MV IgG, or diluted measles-immune human sera. Neither H-specific Fab fragments nor H-specific IgM could enhance MV entry in monocytes or macrophages, indicating involvement of a Fc gamma receptor (FcgammaR)-mediated mechanism. Preincubation with an anti-fusion protein (anti-F) monoclonal antibody or a fusion-inhibitory peptide blocked infection, indicating that a functional F protein was required for viral internalization. Classical complement pathway activation did not promote infection through complement receptors and inhibited anti-H IgG-mediated enhancement. In vivo, antibody-enhanced infection allowed MV to overcome a highly protective systemic immune response in preimmunized IfnarKo-Ge46 transgenic mice. These data demonstrate a previously unidentified mechanism that may contribute to morbillivirus pathogenesis where H-specific IgG antibodies promote the spread of MV infection among FcgammaR-expressing host cells. The findings point to a new model for the pathogenesis of atypical MV infection observed after immunization with formalin-inactivated MV vaccine and underscore the importance of the anti-F response after vaccination.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Antibody-Dependent Enhancement*
  • Cell Line
  • Hemagglutinins, Viral / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Macrophages / virology
  • Measles / immunology*
  • Measles / physiopathology
  • Measles / prevention & control
  • Measles / virology
  • Measles Vaccine / administration & dosage
  • Measles Vaccine / immunology
  • Measles virus / genetics
  • Measles virus / immunology
  • Measles virus / pathogenicity*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Monocytes / virology
  • U937 Cells / virology
  • Viral Fusion Proteins / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Hemagglutinins, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Measles Vaccine
  • Viral Fusion Proteins