Cooperative Chikungunya Virus Membrane Fusion and Its Substoichiometric Inhibition by CHK-152 Antibody

Cooperative Chikungunya Virus Membrane Fusion and Its Substoichiometric Inhibition by CHK-152 Antibody

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Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) presents a major burden on healthcare systems worldwide, but specific treatment remains unavailable.Attachment and Hair Texture Mist fusion of CHIKV to the host cell membrane is mediated by the E1/E2 protein spikes.We used an in vitro single-particle fusion assay to study the effect of the potent, neutralizing antibody CHK-152 on CHIKV binding and fusion.

We find that CHK-152 shields the virions, inhibiting interaction with the target membrane and inhibiting fusion.The analysis of the ratio of bound antibodies to epitopes implied that CHIKV fusion is a highly cooperative process.Further, dissociation of the antibody at lower pH results in a finely balanced kinetic competition between inhibition and fusion, suggesting a Walk window of opportunity for the spike proteins to act and mediate fusion, even in the presence of the antibody.