Evaluation of the Protection Provided by a Human Anti-Zika Monoclonal Antibody in the Progeny of Females Susceptible to Zika Virus Infection

• Grant number: 24/04426-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: May 31, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Applied Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Silvia Beatriz Boscardin
• Grantee: Isabela Resende Azevedo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Zika fever is caused by a flavivirus belonging to the Flaviviridae family called the Zika virus (ZIKV). Infection with this virus has been associated with a significant increase in the number of babies with microcephaly born to infected mothers. In fact, intrauterine ZIKV infection causes a distinct pattern of birth defects and disabilities in the developing fetus and newborn, called Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). The virus crosses the placenta and infects the fetus, showing particular tropism for cells in the central nervous system. The consequences of CZS can be quite serious and include microcephaly, a condition that greatly impairs the child's cognitive and physical development. Unfortunately, there is still no effective treatment to prevent infection. However, infection with the virus is capable of inducing a protective response mediated by highly neutralizing antibodies. Such antibodies block the infection and could be promising tools in the prevention or early treatment of infection. Following the ZIKV epidemic that occurred in 2015-2016, some research groups, including ours, dedicated themselves to generating human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with neutralizing activity against ZIKV. Our group generated a human anti-ZIKV mAb, called A9Z, which was able to block ZIKV infection in in vitro and in vivo assays (in a highly susceptible mouse strain). In this project, we intend to evaluate the protective capacity conferred by A9Z mAb on the offspring of previously infected females. The data obtained in the murine model could help in the development of a prophylactic or therapeutic treatment for pregnant women living in areas at high risk of ZIKV infection.