Development and evaluation of neutralizing antibodies for cross-protection against West Nile virus and Japanese encephalitis virus

Background: West Nile virus is a severe zoonotic pathogen that can cause severe central nervous system symptoms in humans and horses, and is fatal for birds, chickens and other poultry. With no specific drugs or vaccines available, antibody-based therapy is a promising treatment. This study aims to develop neutralizing antibodies against West Nile virus and assess their cross-protective potential against Japanese encephalitis virus. Methods: Monoclonal antibodies against WNV and JEV were isolated by hybridoma technology. The therapeutic efficacy of these antibodies was evaluated using a mouse model, and a humanized version of the monoclonal antibody was generated for potential human application. Results: In this study, we generated eight monoclonal antibodies that exhibit neutralizing activity against WNV. Their therapeutic effects against WNV were validated both in vivo and in vitro. Among these antibodies, C9-G11- F3 also exhibited cross-protective activity against JEV. We also humanized the antibody to ensure that it could be used for WNV infection treatment in humans. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of neutralizing antibodies as a promising approach for protection against West Nile virus infection and suggests their potential utility in the development of therapeutic interventions.