| Friday, June 9, 2023 Caption: This colorized image shows an Aedes mosquito. This species can transmit multiple diseases. Credit: NIAID NIAID Vaccine Research Center scientists and colleagues are closer to developing a safe and effective therapy against alphaviruses with the identification of SKT05, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) derived from macaques vaccinated with virus-like particles (VLPs) representing three encephalitic alphaviruses. Spread by mosquitos, alphaviruses primarily affect people by either causing severe neurological impairment such as encephalitis (brain swelling) or crippling muscle pain similar to arthritis. Western, eastern and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses (EEV) are examples of the former, while chikungunya and Ross River viruses are examples of the latter. Building on studies from the past decade, the scientists knew that macaques produce dozens of protective antibodies when experimentally vaccinated against the EEVs. In a new study published in Cell, the research team identified 109 mAbs in macaques immunized with the experimental EEV VLP vaccine. After testing the antibodies for binding and neutralization against the EEVs and arthritogenic alphaviruses, they identified SKT05 as the most broadly reactive. Remarkably, it also provided protection against both types of alphaviruses, those that cause encephalitis and those that cause arthritic-like disease. Further studies are planned to investigate potential clinical development of SKT05.  | 
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