3B11-N, a monoclonal antibody against MERS-CoV, reduces lung pathology in rhesus monkeys following intratracheal inoculation of MERS-CoV Jordan-n3/2012

Virology. 2016 Mar:490:49-58. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.01.004. Epub 2016 Jan 30.

Abstract

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was identified in 2012 as the causative agent of a severe, lethal respiratory disease occurring across several countries in the Middle East. To date there have been over 1600 laboratory confirmed cases of MERS-CoV in 26 countries with a case fatality rate of 36%. Given the endemic region, it is possible that MERS-CoV could spread during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, necessitating countermeasure development. In this report, we describe the clinical and radiographic changes of rhesus monkeys following infection with 5×10(6) PFU MERS-CoV Jordan-n3/2012. Two groups of NHPs were treated with either a human anti-MERS monoclonal antibody 3B11-N or E410-N, an anti-HIV antibody. MERS-CoV Jordan-n3/2012 infection resulted in quantifiable changes by computed tomography, but limited other clinical signs of disease. 3B11-N treated subjects developed significantly reduced lung pathology when compared to infected, untreated subjects, indicating that this antibody may be a suitable MERS-CoV treatment.

Keywords: Animal model, MERS; Antibody therapy; Human monoclonal antibody therapy; MERS-CoV; Respiratory syndrome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Viral / administration & dosage*
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Coronavirus Infections / pathology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Lung / virology
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Male
  • Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / physiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Viral