Human monoclonal antibodies against Ross River virus target epitopes within the E2 protein and protect against disease

Ross River fever is a mosquito-transmitted viral disease that is endemic to Australia and the surrounding Pacific Islands. Ross River virus (RRV) belongs to the arthritogenic group of alphaviruses, which largely cause disease characterized by debilitating polyarthritis, rash, and fever. There is no specific treatment or licensed vaccine available, and the mechanisms of protective humoral immunity in humans are poorly understood. Here, we describe naturally occurring human mAbs specific to RRV, isolated from subjects with a prior natural infection. These mAbs potently neutralize RRV infectivity in cell culture and block infection through multiple mechanisms, including prevention of viral attachment, entry, and fusion. Some of the most potently neutralizing mAbs inhibited binding of RRV to Mxra8, a recently discovered alpahvirus receptor. Epitope mapping studies identified the A and B domains of the RRV E2 protein as the major antigenic sites for the human neutralizing antibody response. In experiments in mice, these mAbs were protective against cinical disease and reduced viral burden in multiple tissues, suggesting a potential therapeutic use for humans.
Author summary Ross River virus (RRV) was first identified in Australia in 1959, and has since caused multiple outbreaks, some affecting tens of thousands of individuals throughout the Pacific Islands, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. In addition, a mean of 4,600 cases of RRV disease occur in Australia each year. RRV is transmitted to humans via the bite of a mosquito, and disease symptoms include rash, fever, and debilitating polyarthritis. Currently, the adaptive immune response during RRV infection is poorly understood, and no human moncoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the virus exist. In this study, we generated a panel of human mAbs specific for RRV from two donors who had undergone a natural infection with the virus. We then used these mAbs to elucidate antigenic regions of RRV, and to further study mechanisms by which RRV is neutralized. In addition to potently neutralizing virus in vitro, these mAbs significantly reduced mouse death and reducd viral burden in an immunocompromised model. Our study provides new insight into the antibody reponse during a natural infection with RRV, and suggests that therapeutic administration of mAbs may be beneficial in reducing disease burden.