Antibodies play a greater role than immune cells in heterologous protection against secondary dengue virus infection in a mouse model

Virology. 2008 Oct 25;380(2):296-303. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2008.08.008. Epub 2008 Sep 6.

Abstract

The four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV1-4) are causative agents of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS). Previous DENV infection is a risk factor for DHF/DSS during subsequent infection by a different serotype. Nonetheless, most primary and secondary DENV infections are asymptomatic. To investigate the possible mechanisms of immune protection in vivo, 129/Pas mice lacking IFN-alpha/beta and -gamma receptors (AG129) were used to model secondary infection using both DENV1-DENV2 and DENV2-DENV4 sequences. At intervals between sequential infections of 4 to 52 weeks, protection against secondary heterologous DENV infection was observed. Passive transfer of DENV-immune serum was protective against replication of heterologous challenge virus in all tissues tested, whereas adoptive transfer of DENV-immune cells significantly protected mice from replication of the challenge virus only when a lower inoculum was administered. These findings are relevant for understanding both natural and vaccine-induced immunity to DENV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Dengue Virus / immunology*
  • Immunization, Passive
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, Interferon / deficiency
  • Severe Dengue / immunology*
  • Severe Dengue / prevention & control*
  • Viral Plaque Assay

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Receptors, Interferon