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Since the coronavirus disease outbreak in 2019, several antibody therapeutics have been developed to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. Antibody therapeutics are effective in neutralizing the virus and reducing hospitalization in patients with mild and moderate infections. These therapeutics target the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2; however, emerging mutations in this protein reduce their efficiency. In this study, we developed a universal SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody. We generated a humanized monoclonal antibody, MG1141A, against the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein through traditional mouse immunization. We confirmed that MG1141A could effectively neutralize live viruses, with an EC50 of 92 pM, and that it exhibited effective Fc-mediated functions. Additionally, it retained its neutralizing activity against the alpha (UK), beta (South Africa), and gamma (Brazil) variants of SARS-CoV-2. Taken together, our study contributes to the development of a novel antibody therapeutic approach, which can effectively combat emerging SARS-CoV-2 mutations.

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious disease of chickens causing significant economic losses worldwide. Due to limitations in the efficacy against currently circulating ND viruses, existing vaccination strategies require improvements, and incorporating immunomodulatory cytokines with existing vaccines might be a novel approach. Here, we investigated the systemic and mucosal immunomodulatory properties of oral co-administration of chicken interleukin-18 (chIL-18) and chicken interferon-α (chIFN-α) using attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium on an inactivated ND vaccine. Our results demonstrate that oral administration of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium expressing chIL-18 or chIFN-α provided enhanced systemic and mucosal immune responses, as determined by serum hemagglutination inhibition antibody and NDV Ag-specific IgG as well as NDV Ag-specific IgA in lung and duodenal lavages of chickens immunized with inactivated ND vaccine via the intramuscular or intranasal route. Notably, combined oral administration of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium expressing chIL-18 and chIFN-α significantly enhanced systemic and mucosal immunity in ND-vaccinated chickens, compared to single administration of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium expressing chIL-18 or chIFN-α. In addition, oral co-administration of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium expressing chIL-18 and chIFN-α provided enhanced NDV Ag-specific proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and Th1-biased cell-mediated immunity, compared to single administration of either construct. Therefore, our results provide valuable insight into the modulation of systemic and mucosal immunity by incorporation of immunomodulatory chIL-18 and chIFN-α using Salmonella vaccines into existing ND vaccines.

Cross-presentation is the pathway by which exogenous antigens are routed for presentation by MHC class I molecules leading to activation of antiviral CD8+ T-cell responses. However, there is little information describing the modulation of cross-presentation and the impact of pathogen-derived signals associated with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), which is one of the most common causes of encephalitis in humans. In this study, we demonstrate that JEV infection could suppress in vivo cross-presentation of soluble and cell-associated antigens, thereby generating weak CD8+ T-cell responses to exogenous antigens, as evaluated by CFSE dilution of adoptively transferred CD8+ T cells and in vivo CTL killing activity. Furthermore, CD8α+CD11c+ dendritic cells (DCs), which are known to be far more efficient at cross-presenting soluble antigens, played a specific role in contributing to JEV-mediated inhibition of the cross-presentation of exogenous antigens through interference with effective antigen uptake. Finally, this study provides evidence that TLR2-MyD88 and p38 MAPK signal pathway might be involved in JEV-mediated inhibition of cross-presentation of soluble and cell-associated antigens. These observations suggest that the modulation of cross-presentation of exogenous antigens through TLR signaling has important implications for antiviral immune responses against JEV infection and the development of effective vaccination strategies.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a frequent cause of acute and epidemic viral encephalitis. However, there is little information describing the mechanisms by which JEV subverts immune responses that may predispose the host to secondary infections. In this study, we found that JEV induced the subversion of CD8+ T cell responses in a transient manner that was closely correlated with viral multiplication. Subsequently, analysis using a TCR-transgenic system revealed that CD8+ T cells purified from JEV-infected mice showed impaired responses, and that naive CD8+ T cells adoptively transferred into JEV-infected recipients showed less expanded responses. Furthermore, JEV altered the splenic dendritic cell (DC) subpopulation via preferential depletion of CD8α+CD11c+ DCs without changing the plasmacytoid DCs and induced a significant reduction in the surface expression of MHC class II and CD40, but not MHC class I, CD80, and CD86 molecules. Finally, JEV was shown to inhibit the presentation of MHC class I-restricted Ag in DCs, and this immune suppression was ameliorated via the activation of DCs by TLR agonists. Collectively, our data indicate that JEV precludes the functions of Ag-presenting machinery, such as depletion of CD8α+CD11c+ DCs and downregulation of MHC class I-restricted Ag presentation, thereby leading to immune subversion of CD8+ T cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent initiators of T cell-mediated immunity that undergo maturation during viral infections. However, few reports describing the interactions of DCs with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), which remains the most frequent cause of acute and epidemic viral encephalitis, are available. In this study, we investigated the interaction of JEV with DCs and macrophages. JEV replicated its viral RNA in both cells with different efficiency, and JEV infection of macrophages followed the classical activation pathway of up-regulation of tested costimulatory molecules and proinflammatory cytokine production (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-12). On the contrary, JEV-infected DCs failed to up-regulate costimulatory molecules such as CD40 and MHC class II. Of more interest, along with production of proinflammatory cytokines, DCs infected by JEV released antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10, which was not detected in macrophages. Moreover, signaling through MyD88 molecule, a pan-adaptor molecule of TLRs, and p38 MAPK in JEV-infected DCs was found to play a role in the production of cytokines and subversion of primary CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. We also found that IL-10 released from JEV-infected DCs led to a reduction in the priming of CD8+ T cells, but not CD4+ T cells. Taken together, our data suggest that JEV induces functional impairment of DCs through MyD88-dependent and -independent pathways, which subsequently leads to poor CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, resulting in boosting viral survival and dissemination in the body.

To assess the correlation between the nature of immunity induced by different types of immunogens and the establishment of latent infection by wild-type pseudorabies virus (PrV), we used a murine model immunized with different immunogens, the PrV modified live vaccine (MLV), inactivated vaccine (IAV), and commercial oil-adjuvant subunit vaccine (OSV), via either intranasal (i.n.) or intramuscular (i.m.) route. Both MLV and IAV induced a different nature of immunity biased to Th1- and Th2-type, respectively, as judged by the ratio of PrV-specific IgG isotypes (IgG2a/IgG1) and the profile of cytokine IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma production. In contrast, the OSV induced a lower isotype IgG2a to IgG1 ratio and higher level of IL-2 production. The MLV (inducing Th1-type) provided more effective protection against a virulent wild-type PrV challenge than IAV and OSV (inducing Th2- and mixed type, respectively). In addition, the MLV impeded the establishment of a latent infection with wild-type PrV, and the decrease in the PrV latency load by immunization with the MLV appeared to be mediated by the immune T-cells. These results demonstrate the substantial role of the immune responses driven by preceding vaccination in modulating the establishment of PrV latency caused by the post-infection of a field virus.

Although the roles of dendritic cells (DCs) in adaptive defense have been defined well, the contribution of DCs to T cell-independent innate defense and subsequent neuroimmunopathology in immune-privileged CNS upon infection with neurotropic viruses has not been completely defined. Notably, DC roles in regulating innate CD11b+Ly-6Chi monocyte functions during neuroinflammation have not yet been addressed. Using selective ablation of CD11chiPDCA-1int/lo DCs without alteration in CD11cintPDCA-1hi plasmacytoid DC number, we found that CD11chi DCs are essential to control neuroinflammation caused by infection with neurotropic Japanese encephalitis virus, through early and increased infiltration of CD11b+Ly-6Chi monocytes and higher expression of CC chemokines. More interestingly, selective CD11chi DC ablation provided altered differentiation and function of infiltrated CD11b+Ly-6Chi monocytes in the CNS through Flt3-L and GM-CSF, which was closely associated with severely enhanced neuroinflammation. Furthermore, CD11b+Ly-6Chi monocytes generated in CD11chi DC-ablated environment had a deleterious rather than protective role during neuroinflammation and were more quickly recruited into inflamed CNS, depending on CCR2, thereby exacerbating neuroinflammation via enhanced supply of virus from the periphery. Therefore, our data demonstrate that CD11chi DCs provide a critical and unexpected role to preserve the immune-privileged CNS in lethal neuroinflammation via regulating the differentiation, function and trafficking of CD11b+Ly-6Chi monocytes.

A murine model immunized with plasmid DNA vaccine expressing three glycoproteins pCIgB, pCIgC and pCIgD were used to examine the relative potency of major glycoproteins as well as the contribution of immunological parameters in providing protective immunity against the pseudorabies virus (PrV). Among the three glycoprotein-encoded plasmid DNA vaccines, pCIgB produced the strongest response of PrV-specific IgG in the sera. pCIgB and pCIgD also induced a contrast pattern of immunity that was biased to the Th1 and Th2 types, respectively. pCIgC showed the potent inducer of CD8+ T-cell-mediated CTL activity against PrV. In addition, a cocktail vaccination of all three glycoprotein-encoded plasmid DNA vaccines induced the production of both cytokine types, Th1 and Th2 with levels that were the same as that of each immunogen. With regard to protective efficacy, pCIgB induced the most effective protection against a virulent virus challenge and a cocktail vaccination appeared to offer complete protection against a 5 LD50 challenge, but not a 10 LD50 one. pCIgD induced protection that was same as pCIgB, but pCIgC offered no effective protection. These results show the relative potency of the three glycoprotein-encoded PrV DNA vaccines in inducing protective immunity against PrV infection. The results in this study support previous results showing the importance of Th1-type CD4+ T cells and their antibodies in conferring protection.

The immunomodulatory efficacy of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-associated cytokines coadministered with a plasmid DNA vaccine has been investigated, with variable results. Therefore, to test the immunomodulatory effect of IFN-gamma-associated cytokines as vaccine adjuvant, the present study evaluated the immune responses induced by pseudorabies virus (PrV) gB-encoded plasmid DNA vaccine coadministered with IFN-gamma-associated cytokines and chemokines. These cytokines and chemokines included interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-18, as potent inducers of IFN-gamma, and IFN-gamma-inducible protein (IP-10), the production of which is IFN-gamma dependent. A coinjection of either IL-12 or IL-18 strongly suppressed the humoral antibody responses but increased the production of the Th1-type cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-2 from immune T cells. Such antibody suppression was closely related to the increased susceptibility against a virulent viral challenge. On the other hand, IP-10 exhibited enhanced immune responses in both antibody responses and IFN-gamma production of immune T cells and facilitated the prolonged survival of infected mice. In contrast, there was no significant change in the immune responses of the mice that received codelivery of IFN-gamma. Therefore, IFN-gamma-associated cytokines, as Th1-type inducers, can generate unexpected and unwanted effects, and their application as a vaccine adjuvant should be carefully evaluated depending on the target antigens.

Glycoprotein B mediates the absorption and penetration of the pseudorabies virus in the form of an immunodominant Ag, and represents a major target for the development of new vaccines. This study evaluated the efficiency of live attenuated Salmonella typhimurium SL7207 for the oral delivery of DNA vaccine encoding the pseudorabies virus glycoprotein B (pCI-PrVgB) in vivo, leading to the generation of both systemic and mucosal immunity against the pseudorabies virus Ag. An oral transgene vaccination of pCI-PrVgB using a Salmonella carrier produced a broad spectrum of immunity at both the systemic and mucosal sites, whereas the intramuscular administration of a naked DNA vaccine elicited no mucosal immunoglobulin (Ig)A response. Interestingly, the Salmonella-mediated oral transgene vaccination of the pseudorabies virus glycoprotein B biased the immune responses to the Th2-type, as determined by the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio and the cytokine production profile. However, oral vaccination mediated by Salmonella harbouring pCI-PrVgB showed inferior protection to systemic immunization against virulent pseudorabies virus infection. The expression of transgene delivered by Salmonella bacteria in antigen-presenting cells of both the systemic and mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues was further demonstrated. These results highlight the potential use of live attenuated S. typhimurium for an oral transgene pseudorabies virus glycoprotein B vaccination to induce broad immune responses.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is major emerging neurologic disease caused by JE virus. To date, the impact of TLR molecules on JE progression has not been addressed. Here, we determined whether each TLR modulates JE, using several TLR-deficient mouse strains (TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR9). Surprisingly, among the tested TLR-deficient mice there were contrasting results in TLR3−/− and TLR4−/− mice, i.e. TLR3−/− mice were highly susceptible to JE, whereas TLR4−/− mice showed enhanced resistance to JE. TLR3 ablation induced severe CNS inflammation characterized by early infiltration of inflammatory CD11b+Ly-6Chigh monocytes along with profoundly increased viral burden, proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine expression as well as BBB permeability. In contrast, TLR4−/− mice showed mild CNS inflammation manifested by reduced viral burden, leukocyte infiltration and proinflammatory cytokine expression. Interestingly, TLR4 ablation provided potent in vivo systemic type I IFN innate response, as well as ex vivo type I IFN production associated with strong induction of antiviral PRRs (RIG-I, MDA5), transcription factors (IRF-3, IRF-7), and IFN-dependent (PKR, Oas1, Mx) and independent ISGs (ISG49, ISG54, ISG56) by alternative activation of IRF3 and NF-κB in myeloid-derived DCs and macrophages, as compared to TLR3−/− myeloid-derived cells which were more permissive to viral replication through impaired type I IFN innate response. TLR4 ablation also appeared to mount an enhanced type I IFN innate and humoral, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, which were mediated by altered immune cell populations (increased number of plasmacytoid DCs and NK cells, reduced CD11b+Ly-6Chigh monocytes) and CD4+Foxp3+ Treg number in lymphoid tissue. Thus, potent type I IFN innate and adaptive immune responses in the absence of TLR4 were closely coupled with reduced JE lethality. Collectively, these results suggest that a balanced triggering of TLR signal array by viral components during JE progression could be responsible for determining disease outcome through regulating negative and positive factors., Author Summary Japanese encephalitis (JE) is major emerging encephalitis, and more than 60% of global population inhabits JE endemic areas. The etiological virus is currently spreading to previously unaffected regions due to rapid changes in climate and demography. However, the impact of TLR molecules on JE progression has not been addressed to date. We found that the distinct outcomes of JE progression occurred in TLR3 and TLR4-dependent manner, i.e. TLR3−/− mice were highly susceptible, whereas TLR4−/− mice showed enhanced resistance to JE. TLR3 ablation induced severe CNS inflammation manifested by early CD11b+Ly-6Chigh monocyte infiltration, high expression of proinflammatory cytokines, as well as increased BBB permeability. In contrast, TLR4 ablation provided potent type I IFN innate response in infected mice, as well as in myeloid-derived cells closely associated with strong induction of antiviral ISG genes, and also resulted in enhanced humoral, CD4+, and CD8+ T cell responses along with altered plasmacytoid DC and CD4+Foxp3+ Treg number. Thus, potent type I IFN innate and adaptive immune responses in the absence of TLR4 were coupled with reduced JE lethality. Our studies provide an insight into the role of each TLR molecule on the modulation of JE, as well as its mechanism of neuroinflammation control during JE progression.

Acute viral encephalitis caused by neurotrophic viruses, such as mosquito-borne flaviviruses, is an emerging and re-emerging disease that represents an immense global health problem. Considerable progression has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of acute viral encephalitis, but the immune-pathological processes occurring during the progression of encephalitis and the roles played by various molecules and cellular components of the innate and adaptive systems still remain undefined. Recent findings reveal the significant contribution of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and regulatory CD4 + T cells in the outcomes of infectious diseases caused by neurotrophic viruses. In this review, we discuss the ample evidence focused on the roles of TLRs and CD4 + helper T cell subsets on the progression of acute viral encephalitis. Finally, we draw attention to the importance of these molecules and cellular components in defining the pathogenesis of acute viral encephalitis, thereby providing new therapeutic avenues for this disease.

Replication-incompetent adenoviruses expressing three major glycoproteins (gB, gC, and gD) of pseudorabies virus (PrV) were constructed and used to examine the ability of these glycoproteins to induce protective immunity against a lethal challenge. Among three constructs, recombinant adenovirus expressing gB (rAd-gB) was found to induce the most potent immunity biased to Th1-type, as determined by the IgG isotype ratio and the profile of the Th1/Th2 cytokine production. Conversely, the gC-expressing adenovirus (rAd-gC) revealed Th2-type immunity and the gD-expressing adenovirus (rAd-gD) induced lower levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 production than other constructs, except IL-2 production. Mucosal delivery of rAd-gB induced mucosal IgA and serum IgG responses and biased toward Th2-type immune responses. However, these effects were not observed in response to systemic delivery of rAd-gB. In addition, rAd-gB appeared to induce effective protective immunity against a virulent viral infection, regardless of whether it was administered via the muscular or systemic route. These results suggest that administration of replication-incompetent adenoviruses can induce different types of immunity depending on the expressed antigen and that recombinant adenoviruses expressing gB induced the most potent Th1-biased humoral and cellular immunity and provided effective protection against PrV infection.

The CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) and cognate CCR7 ligands, CCL19 and CCL21, help establish microenvironments in lymphoid tissue that can facilitate encounters between naive T cells and mature dendritic cells (DCs). This study was conducted to determine if CCR7 ligands can augment the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine that expresses glycoprotein B (gB) of the pseudorabies virus (PrV). The genetic co-transfer of CCR7 ligands along with a PrV DNA vaccine increased the levels of serum PrV-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G by 2- to 2.5-fold. In addition, the level of PrV-specific IgG2a isotype was significantly enhanced by co-injection of CCR7 ligand DNA, which indicates that CCR7 ligand biases the humoral immunity toward the Th1-type pattern. The co-injection of CCR7 ligand DNA consistently enhanced the level of Th1-type cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) produced by stimulated immune cells when compared with a group that was vaccinated with the PrV DNA vaccine. Also, the genetic co-transfer of CCR7 ligand DNAs with PrV DNA vaccine provided prolonged survival against a virulent challenge by PrV. Moreover, the co-administration of CCR7 ligand DNA increased the number of mature DCs into the secondary lymphoid tissues, which appeared to enhance the proliferation of PrV-immune CD4(+) T cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that CCR7 ligands are an attractive adjuvant for a PrV DNA vaccine that can offer protective immunity against the PrV.

The strength and duration of an antigenic signal at the time of initial stimulation were assumed to affect the development and response of effectors and memory cells to secondary stimulation with the same antigen. To test this assumption, we used T-cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic CD4+ T cells that were stimulated in vitro with various antigen doses. The primary effector CD4+ T cells generated in response to low-dose antigen in vitro exhibited reduced clonal expansion upon secondary antigenic exposure after adoptive transfer to hosts. However, the magnitude of their contraction was much smaller than both those generated by high-dose antigen stimulation and by naive CD4+ T cells, resulting in higher numbers of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells remaining until the memory stage. Moreover, secondary effectors and memory cells developed by secondary antigen exposure were not functionally impaired. In hosts given the low-dose antigen-experienced CD4+ T cells, we also observed accelerated recall responses upon injection of antigen-bearing antigen-presenting cells. These results suggest that primary TCR stimulation is important for developing optimal effectors during initial antigen exposure to confer long-lasting memory CD4+ T cells in response to secondary exposure.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is major emerging neurologic disease caused by JE virus. To date, the impact of TLR molecules on JE progression has not been addressed. Here, we determined whether each TLR modulates JE, using several TLR-deficient mouse strains (TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR9). Surprisingly, among the tested TLR-deficient mice there were contrasting results in TLR3 −/− and TLR4 −/− mice, i.e. TLR3 −/− mice were highly susceptible to JE, whereas TLR4 −/− mice showed enhanced resistance to JE. TLR3 ablation induced severe CNS inflammation characterized by early infiltration of inflammatory CD11b + Ly-6Chigh monocytes along with profoundly increased viral burden, proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine expression as well as BBB permeability. In contrast, TLR4 −/− mice showed mild CNS inflammation manifested by reduced viral burden, leukocyte infiltration and proinflammatory cytokine expression. Interestingly, TLR4 ablation provided potent in vivo systemic type I IFN innate response, as well as ex vivo type I IFN production associated with strong induction of antiviral PRRs (RIG-I, MDA5), transcription factors (IRF-3, IRF-7), and IFN-dependent (PKR, Oas1, Mx) and independent ISGs (ISG49, ISG54, ISG56) by alternative activation of IRF3 and NF- κ B in myeloid-derived DCs and macrophages, as compared to TLR3 −/− myeloid-derived cells which were more permissive to viral replication through impaired type I IFN innate response. TLR4 ablation also appeared to mount an enhanced type I IFN innate and humoral, CD4 + and CD8 + T cell responses, which were mediated by altered immune cell populations (increased number of plasmacytoid DCs and NK cells, reduced CD11b + Ly-6Chigh monocytes) and CD4 + Foxp3 + Treg number in lymphoid tissue. Thus, potent type I IFN innate and adaptive immune responses in the absence of TLR4 were closely coupled with reduced JE lethality. Collectively, these results suggest that a balanced triggering of TLR signal array by viral components during JE progression could be responsible for determining disease outcome through regulating negative and positive factors.

Cholera toxin, which has been frequently used as mucosal adjuvant, leads to an irreversible activation of adenylyl cyclase, thereby accumulating cAMP in target cells. Here, it was assumed that beta(2)-adrenergic agonist salbutamol may have modulatory functions of immunity induced by DNA vaccine, since beta(2)-adrenergic agonists induce a temporary cAMP accumulation. To test this assumption, the present study evaluated the modulatory functions of salbutamol co-administered with DNA vaccine expressing gB of herpes simplex virus (HSV) via intranasal (i.n.) route. We found that the i.n. co-administration of salbutamol enhanced gB-specific IgG and IgA responses in both systemic and mucosal tissues, but optimal dosages of co-administered salbutamol were required to induce maximal immune responses. Moreover, the mucosal co-delivery of salbutamol with HSV DNA vaccine induced Th2-biased immunity against HSV antigen, as evidenced by IgG isotypes and Th1/Th2-type cytokine production. The enhanced immune responses caused by co-administration of salbutamol provided effective and rapid responses to HSV mucosal challenge, thereby conferring prolonged survival and reduced inflammation against viral infection. Therefore, these results suggest that salbutamol may be an attractive adjuvant for mucosal genetic transfer of DNA vaccine.

The genus Flavivirus consists of many emerging arboviruses, including Dengue virus (DV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and West Nile virus (WNV). Effective preventive vaccines remain elusive for these diseases. Mice are being increasingly used as the animal model for vaccine studies. However, the pathogenic mechanisms of these viruses are not clearly understood. Here, we investigated the interaction of DV and JEV with murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (bmDC). Methods: ELISA and FACS analysis were employed to investigate cytokine production and phenotypic changes of DCs obtained from bone marrow following flavivirus infection. Results: We observed that these viruses altered the cytokine profile and phenotypic markers. Although both viruses belong to the same family, JEV-infected bmDC produced anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) along with pro-inflammatory cytokines, whereas DV infection induced production of large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and no IL-10 from murine bmDCs. Both flaviviruses also up-regulated the expression of co-stimulatory molecules such as CD40, CD80 and CD86. JEV infection led to down-regulation of MHC II expression on infected bmDCs. We also found that cytokine production induced by JEV and DV is MyD88-dependent. This dependence was complete for DV, as cytokine production was completely abolished in the absence of MyD88. With regard to JEV, the absence of MyD88 led to a partial reduction in cytokine levels. Conclusion: Here, we demonstrate that MyD88 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of flaviviruses. Our study provides insight into the pathogenesis of JEV and DV in the murine model.