Human Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody Inhibition of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Replication in the Common Marmoset

J Infect Dis. 2017 Jun 15;215(12):1807-1815. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jix209.

Abstract

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in humans is highly lethal, with a fatality rate of 35%. New prophylactic and therapeutic strategies to combat human infections are urgently needed. We isolated a fully human neutralizing antibody, MCA1, from a human survivor. The antibody recognizes the receptor-binding domain of MERS-CoV S glycoprotein and interferes with the interaction between viral S and the human cellular receptor human dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4). To our knowledge, this study is the first to report a human neutralizing monoclonal antibody that completely inhibits MERS-CoV replication in common marmosets. Monotherapy with MCA1 represents a potential alternative treatment for human infections with MERS-CoV worthy of evaluation in clinical settings.

Keywords: MERS-CoV; common marmoset; human monoclonal antibody.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Callithrix
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 / immunology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / immunology*
  • Random Allocation
  • Virus Replication / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • DPP4 protein, human
  • Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4