Comparison of the antibody response after protein immunization and live dengue virus infection.

Dengue virus (DENV) is the cause of dengue infection, an emerging infectious disease which has increased in frequency, severity and geographical spread. Despite intensive worldwide research efforts, vaccine or cure for dengue infection is still not available. Progression for vaccine development has been partly hindered by the lack of animal models which resemble infection in humans, and the knowledge gap in what constitutes a long lasting immune response to DENV infection. This project aimed to address these issues. Comparing humoral response of AG129 and WT129 mice after TSV01 infection revealed that although immunocompromised, AG129 mice were able to elicit comparable anti-TSV01 humoral immunity as WT129 mice, proving AG129 mice to be suitable animal model for DENV infection. DENV replication ability increased the quantity of antibody produced. Comparing TSV01-specific and EDIII-specific IgG in WT129 mice after recombinant E protein, immature virus particle, heat inactivated TSV01 and live TSV01 immunization found that quantity and specificity of IgG produced were different. This was due to the different conformation and accessibility of E protein presented. Whole virus immunization induced high TSV01-specific IgG while recombinant E protein immunization induced high EDIII-specific IgG. This study contributed information for the rational design of DENV vaccine.Bachelor of Science in Biological Science