West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause severe disease affecting the brain and nervous system, especially in older adults and people with weakened immune systems. There is no approved human vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for WNV.
Researchers at NIAID’s Vaccine Research Center (VRC), together with collaborators at Sheba Medical Center and the Israeli Ministry of Health, have identified and characterized seven new fully human monoclonal antibodies that bind to the WNV envelope (E) protein—the main surface protein the virus uses to enter cells. In laboratory studies, these antibodies (AIS-196, AIS-204, AIS-259, AIS-260, AIS-261, AIS-262, and AIS-265) strongly blocked WNV infection, and several also showed protective effects in a mouse model.
The invention includes the antibody sequences and tools needed to produce them, supporting development of full-length antibody therapies or smaller antibody fragments. These antibodies could help prevent WNV disease in people at higher risk or treat infection early, either individually or in combination. Modified versions are also included that may extend how long the antibodies remain active in the body or adjust how they interact with the immune system. The antibodies may also be useful in laboratory tests for WNV diagnosis, surveillance, and research.