Antibodies that bind and neutralize Ebola virus glycoprotein (GP) for use in vaccination or treatment of Ebola virus disease.
The Ebola virus is an RNA virus with a membrane composed of host cell-derived membrane studded with an imbedded viral expressed glycoprotein (GP). Ebola virus GP allow the virus to breach the host cell membrane and are critical in the infection process. Ebola virus disease is a highly infectious illness with a high fatality rate. Current treatments mitigate the symptoms by providing fluids, maintaining oxygen, and blood pressure; however, there are no approved treatments or vaccines for EVD, though a number of therapeutics are being explored.
Emory inventors developed a series of monoclonal neutralizing antibodies specific for Ebola virus GP. These antibodies were developed from circulating B cells and plasma cells isolated from the blood of patients who recovered from Ebola infection. These antibodies act by binding to functional parts of the Ebola virus GP to inhibit its activity. One antibody neutralizes Ebola virus with a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT50) value below 100 ng/ml, which is comparable or superior to ZMapp, the current state-of-the art monoclonal antibody for use with Ebola virus. These antibodies can be used prophylactically in patients who have not developed symptoms, as well as in patients already diagnosed with Ebola virus disease.