MOUSE ANTI-ZIKA VIRUS VLP/ENV ANTIBODY (ID5)

This mouse anti Zika virus VLP antibody recognises the Zika virus VLP comprising Envelope, Pre-membrane and Membrane proteins of Zika virus and recombinant Zika virus Envelope protein.

PRODUCT DETAILS – MOUSE ANTI-ZIKA VIRUS VLP/ENV ANTIBODY (ID5)

• Mouse anti Zika virus VLP antibody (isotype IgG1 kappa) is specific for the Zika virus VLP comprising Envelope, Pre-membrane and Membrane proteins.
• Antibody does not cross-react with Envelope proteins from Dengue virus, Chikungunya virus, Japanese Encephalitis virus and West Nile virus in ELISA assay.
• Suitable for use in direct ELISA and Western blot (non-reduced).

BACKGROUND

Zika virus is an emerging disease that is spread by Aedes mosquitoes. The virus was first isolated in Central Africa, and has since spread to South Asia and more recently to South America. It is a member of the flavivirus family, and is structurally closely related to viruses such as Dengue Fever Virus. Outbreaks were reported in Micronesia in 2007 and in Brazil in 2015, confirming at least 13 autochthonous infections. The Zika virus outbreak in Brazil in 2016 has gained world-wide attention, and has been linked to an increasing number of microcephaly cases. Clinically Zika virus can cause mild fever, rash, myalgia, arthralgia and headaches, with one in four infected individuals being asymptomatic. Due to similar symptoms Zika virus infected individuals can easily be mis-diagnosed as a dengue infection and vice-versa. In addition, Zika virus has been implicated in causing microcephaly through transmission in utero. There is no vaccine or specific treatment available for Zika virus.

Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) are an emerging vaccine technology and consist of protein shells comprising outer proteins specific to the virus in question. The Native Antigen Company’s Zika VLP is composed of partially mature particles containing Envelope (E), pre-Membrane (prM) and Membrane (M), from Zika virus sequences. Concentration and purification is then performed by a series of ultracentrifugation and chromatographical methods which result in VLPs of exceptional quality and purity. These antigens are then used to produce antibodies with higher affinity and greater sensitivity, which can used for multiple applications.