Anti-OspA DNA-Encoded Monoclonal Antibody Prevents Transmission of Spirochetes in Tick Challenge Providing Sterilizing Immunity in Mice
Wang, Yang Esquivel, Rianne Flingai, Seleeke Schiller, Zachary A. Kern, Aurelie Agarwal, Sangya Chu, Jacqueline Patel, Ami Sullivan, Katherine Wise, Megan C.
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Abstract
We recently developed anti-OspA human immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibodies (HuMAbs) that are effective in preventing Borrelia transmission from ticks in a murine model. Here, we investigated a novel approach of DNA-mediated gene transfer of HuMAbs that provide protection against Lyme disease. Plasmid DNA-encoded anti-OspA HuMAbs inoculated in mice achieved a serum antibody concentration of > 6 mug/mL. Among mice injected with DNA-encoded monoclonal antibodies, 75%-77% were protected against an acute challenge by Borrelia-infected ticks. Our results represent the first demonstration of employing DNA transfer as a delivery system for antibodies that block transmission of Borrelia in animal models.
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Wang Y, Esquivel R, Flingai S, Schiller ZA, Kern A, Agarwal S, Chu J, Patel A, Sullivan K, Wise MC, Broderick KE, Hu L, Weiner DB, Klempner MS. Anti-OspA DNA-Encoded Monoclonal Antibody Prevents Transmission of Spirochetes in Tick Challenge Providing Sterilizing Immunity in Mice. J Infect Dis. 2019 Mar 15;219(7):1146-1150. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiy627. PMID: 30476132; PMCID: PMC6420172. Link to article on publisher's site