Antibody-dependent enhancement

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Antibody-dependent enhancement

Antibody-dependent enhancement

Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) is a phenomenon in which the presence of specific antibodies enhances the entry of a virus into host cells and its subsequent replication. This process can lead to increased severity of viral infections and is a significant concern in the development of vaccines and therapeutic antibodies.

Mechanism

ADE occurs when non-neutralizing or sub-neutralizing antibodies bind to viral particles. Instead of neutralizing the virus, these antibodies facilitate viral entry into host cells via Fc receptors or complement receptors. The virus-antibody complex binds to these receptors on the surface of immune cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, leading to increased viral uptake and replication.

The process of ADE is particularly well-documented in flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus. In dengue, individuals who have been previously infected with one serotype of the virus may develop more severe disease upon infection with a different serotype, due to ADE.

Clinical Implications

ADE has significant implications for vaccine development. Vaccines that elicit antibodies capable of enhancing viral infection rather than neutralizing it can potentially worsen the disease. This has been a concern in the development of vaccines for viruses such as dengue virus, Zika virus, and coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2.

In the case of dengue, the phenomenon of ADE has been linked to the occurrence of dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, which are severe forms of the disease. The risk of ADE necessitates careful evaluation of vaccine candidates to ensure that they do not predispose individuals to enhanced disease.

Examples

  • Dengue Virus: ADE is a well-known mechanism in dengue virus infections. Individuals with antibodies from a previous infection with one serotype can experience more severe disease upon infection with a different serotype.
  • Coronavirus: Concerns about ADE have been raised in the context of COVID-19 and the development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. However, extensive testing and monitoring are conducted to ensure vaccine safety.

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD