NOVEL ANTIBODIES SPECIFICALLY BINDING TO ZIKA VIRUS EPITOPES AND USES THEREOF

Abstract

The invention relates to antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof, that potently neutralize infection of ZIKV. The invention also relates to antigenic sites to which the antibodies and antigen binding fragments bind, as well as to nucleic acids that encode and immortalized B cells that produce such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies and antibody fragments of the invention in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of ZIKV infection.

Claims

1. An isolated antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds to a Zika virus epitope and neutralizes Zika virus infection.

2. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 1, characterized in that the concentration of the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, required for 50% neutralization of Zika virus (IC.sub.50) is up to about 1 ?g/ml, preferably up to about 500 ng/ml, more preferably up to about 250 ng/ml, even more preferably up to about 100 ng/ml and most preferably up to about 50 ng/ml.

3. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, does essentially not bind to Dengue virus-like particles and/or to Dengue envelope protein.

4. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, does not contribute to antibody-dependent enhancement of Zika virus infection.

5. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, is a human antibody.

6. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, is a monoclonal antibody, preferably a human monoclonal antibody, more preferably a recombinant human monoclonal antibody.

7. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, is of the IgG type, preferably of the IgG1 type.

8. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises an Fc moiety.

9. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 8, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a mutation in the Fc moiety, said mutation reducing binding of the antibody to an Fc receptor.

10. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a CH2 L4A mutation, a CH2 L5A mutation, or both.

11. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-10, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, binds to domain III of Zika virus envelope protein.

12. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 11, wherein domain III of Zika virus envelope protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 401 or 407.

13. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 12, wherein domain III of Zika virus envelope protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 402.

14. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-13, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, binds to an epitope of Zika virus envelope protein, which includes one or more amino acid residues of the lateral ridge (LR) of EDIII and/or one or more amino acid residues of the EDI-EDIII hinge region.

15. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 14, characterized in that the epitope of Zika virus envelope protein includes one or more amino acid residues of the lateral ridge (LR) of EDIII and one or more amino acid residues of the EDI-EDIII hinge region.

16. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-10, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, binds to a quaternary epitope displayed on a ZIKV infectious virion.

17. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-16, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, can inhibit a post-attachment step of ZIKV.

18. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 17, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, can prevent membrane fusion.

19. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-18, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, can cause aggregation of ZIKV (particles).

20. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-19, characterized in that the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 75, 39, 21, 57, 239, 243, 247, 251, 255, 259, 263, 267, 271, 275, 279, 283, 287, 291, 295, 299, 303, 307, 311, 315, 319, 323, 327, 331, 335, 339, 343, 347, 351, 355, 359, 363, 367, 371, 375, 379, 383, 387, 391, 395, and 399, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

21. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 20, characterized in that the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 75, 39, 21 and 57, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

22. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 21, characterized in that the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 3 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

23. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-22, characterized in that the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein (i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 19, 37, 55, 73, 237, 241, 245, 249, 253, 257, 261, 265, 269, 273, 277, 281, 285, 289, 293, 297, 301, 305, 309, 313, 317, 321, 325, 329, 333, 337, 341, 345, 349, 353, 357, 361, 365, 369, 373, 377, 381, 385, 389, 393, and 397, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 20, 38, 56, 74, 238, 242, 246, 250, 254, 258, 262, 266, 270, 274, 278, 282, 286, 290, 294, 298, 302, 306, 310, 314, 318, 322, 326, 330, 334, 338, 342, 346, 350, 354, 358, 362, 366, 370, 374, 378, 382, 386, 390, 394, and 398, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or (iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 21, 39, 57, 75, 239, 243, 247, 251, 255, 259, 263, 267, 271, 275, 279, 283, 287, 291, 295, 299, 303, 307, 311, 315, 319, 323, 327, 331, 335, 339, 343, 347, 351, 355, 359, 363, 367, 371, 375, 379, 383, 387, 391, 395, and 399, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

24. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 23, characterized in that the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein (i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 19, 37, 55 and 73 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 20, 38, 56 and 74 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or (iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 21, 39, 57 and 75 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

25. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 24, characterized in that the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein (i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or (iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 3 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

26. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-25, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein (i) the at least one CDRL1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 4, 22, 40, 58 and 76 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) the at least one CDRL2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 5, 6, 23, 24, 41, 42, 59, 60, 77 and 78 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or (iii) the at least one CDRL3 amino comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 7, 25, 43, 61 and 79 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

27. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 26, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein (i) the at least one CDRL1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 4 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) the at least one CDRL2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 5 or 6, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or (iii) the at least one CDRL3 amino comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 7 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

28. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 20-27, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises CDRH1, CDRH2, and CDRH3 amino acid sequences (i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-3; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 19-21; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 37-39; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 55-57; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (v) according to SEQ ID NOs: 73-75; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (vi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 237-239; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (vii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 241-243; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (viii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 245-247; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ix) according to SEQ ID NOs: 249-251; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (x) according to SEQ ID NOs: 253-255; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 257-259; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 261-263; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xiii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 265-267; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xiv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 269-271; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 273-275; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xvi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 277-279; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xvii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 281-283; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xviii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 285-287; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xix) according to SEQ ID NOs: 289-291; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xx) according to SEQ ID NOs: 293-295; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 297-299; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 301-303; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxiii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 305-307; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxiv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 309-311; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 313-315; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxvi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 317-319; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxvii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 321-323; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxviii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 325-327; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxix) according to SEQ ID NOs: 329-331; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxx) according to SEQ ID NOs: 333-335; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 337-339; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 341-343; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxiii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 345-347; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxiv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 349-351; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 353-355; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxvi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 357-359; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxvii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 361-363; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxviii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 365-367; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxxix) according to SEQ ID NOs: 369-371; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xl) according to SEQ ID NOs: 373-375; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xli) according to SEQ ID NOs: 377-379; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xlii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 381-383; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xliii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 385-387; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xliv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 389-391; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xlv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 393-395; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (xlvi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 397-399; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

29. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 28, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises CDRH1, CDRH2, and CDRH3 amino acid sequences and CDRL1, CDRL2, and CDRL3 amino acid sequences (i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-5 and 7; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4 and 6-7; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 19-23 and 25; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 19-22 and 24-25; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (v) according to SEQ ID NOs: 37-41 and 43; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (vi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 37-40 and 42-43; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (vii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 55-59 and 61; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (viii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 55-58 and 60-61; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ix) according to SEQ ID NOs: 73-77 and 79; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (x) according to SEQ ID NOs: 73-76 and 78-79; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

30. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 29, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises CDRH1, CDRH2, and CDRH3 amino acid sequences and CDRL1, CDRL2, and CDRL3 amino acid sequences (i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-5 and 7; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 1-4 and 6-7; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

31. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-30, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain variable region (VH) and, optionally, a light chain variable region (VL), wherein the heavy chain variable region (VH) comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 8, 26, 44, 62, 80, 240, 244, 248, 252, 256, 260, 264, 268, 272, 276, 280, 284, 288, 292, 296, 300, 304, 308, 312, 316, 320, 324, 328, 332, 336, 340, 344, 348, 352, 356, 360, 364, 368, 372, 376, 380, 384, 388, 392, 396, and 400; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

32. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1-31, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises (i) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 8 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 9 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 26 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 27 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iii) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 44 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 45 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iv) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 62 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 63 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (v) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 80 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 81 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

33. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 32, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 8 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 9 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

34. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 32, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is gZKA190, gZKA64, gZKA230, gZKA185 or gZKA78, preferably the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is gZKA190, gZKA64, gZKA230 or gZKA185, more preferably the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is gZKA190 or gZKA64, and most preferably the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is gZKA190.

35. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is a purified antibody, a single chain antibody, Fab, Fab, F(ab)2, Fv or scFv.

36. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of the previous claims, for use as a medicament.

37. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of the previous claims, for use in the prevention and/or treatment of Zika virus infection.

38. A nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide encoding the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of the previous claims.

39. The nucleic acid molecule according to claim 38, wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises or consists of a nucleic acid sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 10-18, 28-36, 46-54, 64-72, and 82-90; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

40. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule according to claim 38 or 39.

41. A cell expressing the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 35; or comprising the vector according to claim 40.

42. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 35, the nucleic acid according to claims 38-39, the vector according to claim 40 and/or the cell according to claim 41.

43. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 42 further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent or carrier.

44. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 42 or 43, which is provided as a single-dose product.

45. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 42-44, wherein the amount of the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 20, does not exceed 500 mg, preferably does not exceed 200 mg, more preferably does not exceed 100 mg, and even more preferably does not exceed 50 mg.

46. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 37, the nucleic acid according to any of claims 38-39, the vector according to claim 40, the cell according to claim 41, or the pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 42-45 for use in (i) prevention or treatment of Zika virus infection; or in (ii) diagnosis of Zika virus infection.

47. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 37, the nucleic acid according to any of claims 38-39, the vector according to claim 40, the cell according to claim 41, or the pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 42-45 for use according to claim 46 in prevention or treatment of Zika virus infection in subjects diagnosed with Zika virus infection or in subjects showing symptoms of Zika infection.

48. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 37, the nucleic acid according to any of claims 38-39, the vector according to claim 40, the cell according to claim 41, or the pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 42-45 for use according to claim 46 in asymptomatic subjects.

49. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 37, the nucleic acid according to any of claims 38-39, the vector according to claim 40, the cell according to claim 41, or the pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 42-45 for use according to any of claims 46-48 in pregnant subjects.

50. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 37, the nucleic acid according to any of claims 38-39, the vector according to claim 40, the cell according to claim 41, or the pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 42-45 for use according to any of claims 46-49, wherein the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, the nucleic acid, the vector, the cell, or the pharmaceutical composition is administered up to seven days after (a possible) Zika virus infection, preferably up to five days after (a possible) Zika virus infection, more preferably up to four days after (a possible) Zika virus infection, even more preferably up to three days after (a possible) Zika virus infection, and most preferably up to one day after (a possible) Zika virus infection.

51. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 37, the nucleic acid according to any of claims 38-39, the vector according to claim 40, the cell according to claim 41, or the pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 42-45 for use according to any of claims 46-50, wherein the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, the nucleic acid, the vector, the cell, or the pharmaceutical composition is administered in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor.

52. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 37, the nucleic acid according to any of claims 38-39, the vector according to claim 40, the cell according to claim 41, or the pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 42-45 for use according to any of claims 46-51, wherein the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, the nucleic acid, the vector, the cell, or the pharmaceutical composition is administered at a (single) dose of 0.005 to 100 mg/kg, preferably at a (single) dose of 0.0075 to 50 mg/kg, more preferably at a (single) dose of 0.01 to 10 mg/kg, even more preferably at a (single) dose of 0.05 to 5 mg/kg, and particularly preferably at a (single) dose of 0.1 to 1 mg/kg.

53. Use of the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 37, the nucleic acid according to any of claims 38-39, the vector according to claim 40, the cell according to claim 41, or the pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 42-45 for monitoring the quality of an anti-Zika vaccine by checking that the antigen of said vaccine contains the specific epitope in the correct conformation.

54. Use of the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 37, the nucleic acid according to any of claims 38-39, the vector according to claim 40, the cell according to claim 41, or the pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 42-45 in diagnosis of Zika virus infection.

55. A kit of parts comprising at least one antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 37, at least one nucleic acid according to any of claims 38-39, at least one vector according to claim 40, at least one cell according to claim 41, or at least one pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 42-45.

56. Method of preventing and/or treating Zika virus infection in a subject, wherein the method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 37, the nucleic acid according to any of claims 38-39, the vector according to claim 40, the cell according to claim 41, or the pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 42-45.

57. Method according to claim 56, wherein the subject was diagnosed with Zika virus infection or shows symptoms of Zika virus infection.

58. Method according to claim 56 or 57, wherein the subject is pregnant.

59. An isolated antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds to NS1 protein of ZIKA virus.

60. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 59, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, does essentially not bind to Dengue virus (DENV) NS1 protein.

61. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 59 or 60, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, does essentially not bind to Yellow fever virus (YFV) NS1 protein, West nile virus (WNV) NS1 protein, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) NS1 protein and/or to Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) NS1 protein.

62. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-61, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, is a human antibody.

63. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-62, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, is a monoclonal antibody, preferably a human monoclonal antibody, more preferably a recombinant human monoclonal antibody.

64. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-63, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, is of the IgG type, preferably of the IgG1 type.

65. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-64, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises an Fc moiety.

66. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 65, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a CH2 L4A mutation, a CH2 L5A mutation, or both.

67. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-64, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, does not comprise an Fc region, in particular an Fc moiety.

68. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-67, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is a purified antibody, a single chain antibody, Fab, Fab, F(ab)2, Fv or scFv.

69. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-68, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is biotinylated, such as a biotinylated Fab, Fab, or F(ab)2 fragment.

70. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-69, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, binds to antigenic site S1 and/or to antigenic site S2 of Zika virus NS1 protein.

71. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 70, characterized in that the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, binds to antigenic site S2 of Zika virus NS1 protein.

72. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-71, characterized in that the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 93, 111, 129, 155, 159, 163, 167, 171, 175, 179, 183, 187, 191, 195, 199, 203, 207, 211, 215, 219, 223, 227, 231, and 235; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

73. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 72, characterized in that the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 93, 111 and 129, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

74. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 73, characterized in that the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein at least one CDR, preferably the at least one heavy chain CDRH3, comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 129, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

75. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-74, characterized in that the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein (i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 91, 109, 127, 153, 157, 161, 165, 169, 173, 177, 181, 185, 189, 193, 197, 201, 205, 209, 213, 217, 221, 225, 229, and 233; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 92, 110, 128, 154, 158, 162, 166, 170, 174, 178, 182, 186, 190, 194, 198, 202, 206, 210, 214, 218, 222, 226, 230, and 234; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or (iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 93, 111, 129, 155, 159, 163, 167, 171, 175, 179, 183, 187, 191, 195, 199, 203, 207, 211, 215, 219, 223, 227, 231, and 235; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

76. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 75, characterized in that the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein (i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 91, 109 and 127, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 92, 110 and 128, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or (iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 93, 111 and 129, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

77. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 76, characterized in that the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein (i) the at least one heavy chain CDRH1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 127, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) the at least one CDRH2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 128, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or (iii) the at least one heavy chain CDRH3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 129, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

78. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-77, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein (i) the at least one CDRL1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 94, 112 and 130, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) the at least one CDRL2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 95, 96, 113, 114, 131 and 132, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or (iii) the at least one CDRL3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 97, 115 and 133, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

79. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 78, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain comprising at least one CDRH1, at least one CDRH2 and at least one CDRH3 and a light chain comprising at least one CDRL1, at least one CDRL2 and at least one CDRL3, wherein (i) the at least one CDRL1 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 130, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) the at least one CDRL2 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 131 or 132, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; and/or (iii) the at least one CDRL3 comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 133, or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

80. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 60-79, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises CDRH1, CDRH2, and CDRH3 amino acid sequences (i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 91-93; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 109-111; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 127-129; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 153-155; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (v) according to SEQ ID NOs: 157-159; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (vi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 161-163; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (vii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 165-167; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (viii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 169-171; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ix) according to SEQ ID NOs: 173-175; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (x) according to SEQ ID NOs: 177-179; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 181-183; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 185-187; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xiii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 189-191; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xiv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 193-195; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 197-199; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xvi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 201-203; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xvii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 205-207; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xviii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 209-211; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xix) according to SEQ ID NOs: 213-215; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xx) according to SEQ ID NOs: 217-219; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 221-223; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 225-227; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (xxiii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 229-231; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (xxiv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 233-235; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

81. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 80, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises CDRH1, CDRH2, and CDRH3 amino acid sequences and CDRL1, CDRL2, and CDRL3 amino acid sequences (i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 91-95 and 97; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 91-94 and 96-97; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 109-113 and 115; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (iv) according to SEQ ID NOs: 109-112 and 114-115; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (v) according to SEQ ID NOs:127-131 and 133; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (vi) according to SEQ ID NOs: 127-130 and 132-133; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

82. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 81, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises CDRH1, CDRH2, and CDRH3 amino acid sequences and CDRL1, CDRL2, and CDRL3 amino acid sequences (i) according to SEQ ID NOs: 127-131 and 133; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (ii) according to SEQ ID NOs: 127-130 and 132-133; or functional sequence variants thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

83. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-82, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain variable region (VH) and, optionally, a light chain variable region (VL), wherein the heavy chain variable region (VH) comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence according to any of SEQ ID NOs: 98, 116, 134, 156, 160, 164, 168, 172, 176, 180, 184, 188, 192, 196, 200, 204, 208, 212, 216, 220, 224, 228, 232, and 236; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

84. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-83, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises (i) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 98 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 99 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; (ii) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 116 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 117 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity; or (iii) a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 134 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 135 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

85. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 84, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, comprises a heavy chain variable region (VH) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 134 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity and/or a light chain variable region (VL) amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 135 or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

86. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to claim 84 or 85, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is gZKA15, gZKA25, or gZKA35, preferably the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is gZKA35.

87. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-86, characterized in that the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is labelled, for example biotinylated or conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP).

88. A complex comprising (i) the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-87; and (ii) a label.

89. A nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide encoding the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-87 or the complex according to claim 88.

90. The nucleic acid molecule according to claim 89, wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises or consists of a nucleic acid sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 100-108, 118-126, and 136-144; or a functional sequence variant thereof having at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% sequence identity.

91. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule according to claim 89 or 90.

92. A cell (i) expressing the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-87 or the complex according to claim 88; or (ii) comprising the vector according to claim 91.

93. Composition comprising the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-87; the complex according to claim 88; the nucleic acid molecule according to claim 89 or 90; the vector according to claim 91; and/or the cell according to claim 92.

94. Kit of parts comprising the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-87; the complex according to claim 88; the nucleic acid molecule according to claim 89 or 90; the vector according to claim 91; the cell according to claim 92; and/or the composition according to claim 93.

95. Use of the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-87; the complex according to claim 88; the nucleic acid molecule according to claim 89 or 90; the vector according to claim 91; the cell according to claim 92; the composition according to claim 93; and/or the kit of parts according to claim 94 in (in-vitro) diagnosis of Zika virus infection.

96. Use of the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-87; the complex according to claim 88; the nucleic acid molecule according to claim 89 or 90; the vector according to claim 91; the cell according to claim 92; the composition according to claim 93; and/or the kit of parts according to claim 94 in determining whether an isolated sample (of a body fluid), such as an isolated blood sample, is infected with Zika virus.

97. Use according to any of claim 95 or 96, wherein a blockade-of-binding assay is used.

98. Blockade-of-binding assay for in-vitro diagnosis of Zika virus infection comprising the following steps: (i) adding an isolated sample from a subject to be diagnosed to a plate coated with ZIKV NS1 protein and incubating said sample on said plate, (ii) adding the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-87 or the complex according to claim 88, (iii) determining inhibition of binding of binding of said antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.

99. Blockade-of-binding assay according to claim 98, wherein the isolated sample from a subject to be diagnosed is selected from blood, saliva and urine; preferably the sample is a blood sample, such as whole blood, plasma or serum.

100. Blockade-of-binding assay according to claim 98 or 99, wherein the antibody, or the antigen-binding fragment thereof, added in step (ii), is labelled, preferably biotinylated or conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP).

101. Blockade-of-binding assay according to any one of claims 98-100, wherein the isolated sample from a subject to be diagnosed is diluted, for example 1:5-1:50, preferably 1:5-1:25, such as 1:10.

102. Blockade-of-binding assay according to any one of claims 98-101, wherein the incubation time in step (i) is at least 5 min, preferably at least 15 min, more preferably at least 30 min, even more preferably at least 45 min and most preferably at least 60 min.

103. Blockade-of-binding assay according to any one of claims 98-102, wherein in step (ii) after adding the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, is incubated for at least 1 min, preferably, at least 3 min, more preferably at least 5 min, even more preferably at least 10 min and most preferably at least 15 min.

104. Method for (in-vitro) diagnosis of Zika virus infection, wherein the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-87; the complex according to claim 88; the nucleic acid molecule according to claim 89 or 90; the vector according to claim 91; the cell according to claim 92; the composition according to claim 93; and/or the kit of parts according to claim 94 is used for determining whether an isolated sample (of a body fluid), such as an isolated blood sample, is infected with Zika virus.

105. The antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 25, the nucleic acid according to any of claims 26-27, the vector according to claim 28, the cell according to claim 29, and/or the pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 30-33 for use according to claim 34-40 in subjects diagnosed with Zika virus infection by using the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-87; the complex according to claim 88; the nucleic acid molecule according to claim 89 or 90; the vector according to claim 91; the cell according to claim 92; the composition according to claim 93; and/or the kit of parts according to claim 94; and/or the method according to claim 104.

106. Method of preventing and/or treating Zika virus infection, the method comprising the following steps: (i) diagnosing Zika virus infection in a subject by using the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-87; the complex according to claim 88; the nucleic acid molecule according to claim 89 or 90; the vector according to claim 91; the cell according to claim 92; the composition according to claim 93; and/or the kit of parts according to claim 94; and (ii) administering to said subject the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 37, the nucleic acid according to any of claims 38-39, the vector according to claim 40, the cell according to claim 41, and/or the pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 42-45.

107. Method of preventing and/or treating Zika virus infection according to claim 106, wherein step (i) of diagnosing Zika virus infection is performed as in-vitro diagnosis on an isolated sample (of a body fluid), such as an isolated blood sample.

108. Method of preventing and/or treating Zika virus infection according to claim 94, wherein step (i) of diagnosing Zika virus infection is performed as Blockade-of-binding assay according to any one of claims 98-103.

109. Kit of parts comprising (i) the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 59-87; the complex according to claim 88; the nucleic acid molecule according to claim 89 or 90; the vector according to claim 91; the cell according to claim 92; the composition according to claim 93; and/or the kit of parts according to claim 94; and (ii) the antibody, or the antigen binding fragment thereof, according to any of claims 1 to 37, the nucleic acid according to any of claims 38-39, the vector according to claim 40, the cell according to claim 41, and/or the pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 42-45.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0447] FIG. 1 shows the reactivity (ELISA) and ZIKV and DENV1 neutralizing activity of antibodies derived from four ZIKV immune donors (ZKA, ZKB, ZKC and ZKD) to E protein of ZIKV and DENV1-4 and to EDIII-domain of ZIKV E protein; NNBneutralizing, non-E-protein binding antibodies.

[0448] FIG. 2 shows the reactivity (ELISA) of antibodies derived from four ZIKV immune donors (ZKA, ZKB, ZKC and ZKD) to NS1 protein of ZIKV, DENV1-4 and other flaviviruses. YFVyellow-fever virus; WVNWest-Nile virus; JEVJapanese Encephalitis virus; and TBEVTick-borne Encephalitis virus (nd, not determined).

[0449] FIG. 3 shows the binding of ZKA190, ZKA78 and ZKA64 antibodies to ZIKV and DENV1 E and to ZIKV EDIII proteins as measured by ELISA.

[0450] FIG. 4 shows the binding of ZKA185 and ZKA190 antibodies to ZIKV E, DENV1 VLP and to ZIKV EDIII proteins as measured by ELISA.

[0451] FIG. 5 shows the binding of ZKA15, ZKA25 and ZKA35 antibodies to ZIKV and DENV1-4 NS1 proteins as measured by ELISA.

[0452] FIG. 6 shows for Example 3 ZIKV NS1 protein antigenic site mapping using cross-competition Octet-binding studies. (A-B) Cross-competition matrix performed by Octet on 24 mAbs specific for ZIKV NS1 (A) or cross-reactive to DENV NS1 (B). +, lack of binding of the secondary Ab; +/?, partial loss of binding of the secondary mAb; ?, binding of the secondary mAb. Strikethrough cells, not tested. (C) Map of the antigenic sites targeted by ZIKV NS1-specific mAbs as defined using BLI (Octet) cross-competition.

[0453] FIG. 7 shows for Example 4 blockade of binding assay using mAb ZKA35 as a probe to detect ZIKV NS1 in plasma from ZIKV-immune (n=4), DENV-immune (n=5) and control donors (n=48) (1/10 dilution). Plasma samples were tested for their capacity to bind NS1 (empty dots) and to inhibit the binding of the biotinylated mAb ZKA35 to NS1 (filled dots).

[0454] FIG. 8 shows for Example 5 the neutralizing activity of ZKA190, ZKA64, ZKA64-LALA, ZKA230 and ZKA78 antibodies against ZIKV (H/PF/2013 strain) and DENV1 on Vero cells as measured by flow-cytometry (% of infected cells).

[0455] FIG. 9 shows for Example 5 the neutralizing activity of ZKA190, ZKA64, ZKA185, ZKA230 and ZKA78 antibodies against ZIKV (H/PF/2013 strain) on Vero cells as measured with a cell viability readout (wst-1, Roche).

[0456] FIG. 10 shows for Example 6 the infection enhancing activity (ADE, antibody-dependent enhancement) of ZKA190, ZKA64, ZKA64-LALA, ZKA185, ZKA230 and ZKA78 antibodies for ZIKV (H/PF/2013 strain) on non-permissive K562 cells as measured by flow-cytometry (% of infected cells).

[0457] FIG. 11 shows for Example 6 that four ZIKV-immune plasma and one DENV-immune plasma showed similar capacity to enhance ZIKV infection of K562 cells (upper panel). This ADE effect was completely blocked in all five immune plasma by the EDIII-specific ZKA64-LALA antibody (lower panel).

[0458] FIG. 12 shows the amino acid alignment of the EDIII region of 39 ZIKV strains from the Asian lineage since 2013 (including the prototypic strain MR766 of the African lineage isolated in 1947).

[0459] FIG. 13 shows for Example 5 the neutralizing activity of ZKA190 and ZKA190-LALA antibody against three strains of ZIKV (H/PF/2013, MR766 and MRS_OPY_Martinique_PaRi_2015) on Vero cells as measured by flow-cytometry (% of infected cells).

[0460] FIG. 14 shows for Example 7 NS1 blockade-of-binding analysis of European residents. Shown are the BOB values for samples collected in Italy and Switzerland. Plotted are the BOB values in samples from ZIKV, primary and secondary DENV-, WNV-, and CHIKV-infected individuals and a panel of samples from healthy blood donors from Switzerland.

[0461] FIG. 15 shows for Example 8 neutralization of ZKA190 and C8 mAbs tested against a panel of four strains of ZIKV, as determined by the percentage of infected Vero cells in the presence of increasing amounts of the mAbs (A). Shown are also the IC50 values (B) and statistics (C). Data are representative of at least two independent experiments.

[0462] FIG. 16 shows for Example 9 the neutralization and enhancement of ZIKV infection by antibody ZKA190. (A) Neutralization of ZIKV PRVABC59 strain infection of hNPCs by ZKA190, ZKA190-LALA and a control mAb as determined by plaque assay on Vero cells (left panel) and indirect immunofluorescence of infected hNPCs using fluorophore-labelled anti-E antibody (right panel). (B) ADE of ZIKV infection of non-permissive K562 cells by ZKA190 and ZKA190-LALA. (C) ADE induced in K562 cells when ZIKV is pre-incubated with serial dilutions of plasma serum from different ZIKV-positive patients (left panel). When ZKA190 LALA is added to the ZIKV-serum complexes, ADE is inhibited (right panel). (D) ADE induced in K562 cells when ZIKV is pre-incubated with serial dilutions of a prM cross-reactive mAb (DV62) derived from a DENV-immune donor. ZKA190-LALA inhibits ADE of ZIKV when complexed with prM-reactive antibody DV62. (E) Effect on ADE induced by peak enhancing dilution of a DENV2 plasma (left panel) or anti-prM DV62 mAb (right panel) by serial dilutions of indicated mAbs.

[0463] FIG. 17 shows for Example 10 the identification of ZKA190 epitope and analysis of its conservation in ZIKV strains. (A) Overlay of [.sup.15N,.sup.1H]-HSQC spectra of .sup.15N-labeled ZIKV EDIII in absence (black) or presence (red) of unlabelled ZKA190 Fab. Differences identify EDIII residues affected by antibody binding. (B) NMR epitope mapping of ZKA190 Fab in complex with ZKV EDIII. The chemical shift perturbation (CSP, y-axis) is plotted against the EDIII residue number. Residues affected by antibody binding are in red. (C) Residues in FG loop identified by NMR epitope mapping is partially hidden in E protein mol A but largely exposed in mols B and C. EDIII of E protein was coloured in blue. Residues identified by NMR epitope mapping are coloured in magenta except those in the FG loop are coloured in green. Adjacent E proteins are shown as grey surface. (D) Level of amino acid residue conservation in ZKA190 epitope as calculated by the analysis of sequences from 217 ZIKV strains found in ZIKV Resources (NCBI) databases as of Nov. 24, 2016. (E) Open-book representation showing charge complementarity between the epitope and paratope of the docking result. Boundaries of the epitope and paratope are circled in green. The borders between heavy and light chains of Fab and its corresponding footprint on EDIII are shown as yellow dashed lines.

[0464] FIG. 18 shows for Example 10 the ZKA190 epitope identified by NMR and Docking. (A) Cartoon representation of the 12 lowest energy NMR structures of ZIKV EDIII, with residues affected by ZKA190 binding in red. Flexibility in the N-terminus of the construct is apparent. (B) Model of the ZKA190:EDIII complex derived by computational docking and molecular simulation validated by NMR results. The NMR identified epitope on EDIII (grey) is in red. The ZKA190 heavy and light chain are colored in dark and light green, respectively. EDIII residues that affect or not antibody binding when mutated are shown as orange and blue sticks, respectively. (C) NMR identified ZKA190 epitope (red) is accessible on the virus surface (white).

[0465] FIG. 19 shows for Example 10 the binding of wt or mutated EDIII to ZKA190 IgG. SPR data and binding kinetics are shown. EDIII mutants that affect (red highlights) or do not affect binding are shown as indicated in the figure.

[0466] FIG. 20 shows for Example 11 the results of the confocal microscopy experiments. ZIKV incubated with a concentration exceeding 10,000-fold the IC50 value of either ZKA190 Fab or full IgG were added to Vero cells. The ZIKV:antibody complex is detected inside the cells (green) and co-localizes with endosomes (red, yellow overlay). Endosomes and acidic organelles are marked by Lysotracker red; Alexa-488 conjugated ZKA190 is in green. Nuclei are stained with DAPI (blue).

[0467] FIG. 21 shows for Example 12 prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of ZKA190. (A) ZKA190 is strongly protective against ZIKV infection when administered prophylactically to mice (A129 in (A) and AG129 in (B)) challenged with a lethal dose of ZIKV strain MP17451. Experiments used N=4-8 mice per group. Kaplan-Meier survival curves are shown (A). Significance was determined by using the Mantel-Cox log-rank test. Panel A, top left: ZKA190 at 5, 1 and 0.2 mg/kg versus Ctr mAb, P=0.0031; ZKA190 at 0.04 mg/kg versus Ctr mAb, P=0.0116; ZKA190-LALA at 5, 1, 0.2 and 0.04 mg/kg versus Ctr mAb, P=0.0031. Panel A, top right: Morbidity score of mice monitored over a 14-15 day period (two different scoring methods were used; see (Dowall, S. D., Graham, V. A., Rayner, E., Atkinson, B., Hall, G., Watson, R. J., Bosworth, A., Bonney, L. C., Kitchen, S., and Hewson, R. (2016). A Susceptible Mouse Model for Zika Virus Infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 10, e0004658-13). Panel A, lower panels: body weight of mice. Panels B: ZKA190 or ZKA190-LALA were administered at 15 mg/kg at different time-points after ZIKV infection. Panel B, top left: A Kaplan-Meier survival curve is shown. Experiments used N=5 mice per group. Significance was determined by using the Mantel-Cox log-rank test. ZKA190 and ZKA190-LALA given either on day 1, 2, 3 or 4 versus Ctr., P=0.0016. Panel B, top right: Morbidity score of mice monitored over a 14-day according to (Dowall et al., 2016). Mice were monitored over a 14 day period for body weight loss (Panel B, lower panels). Control antibody is MPE8 specific for RSV F protein (Corti, D., et al. Cross-neutralization of four paramyxoviruses by a human monoclonal antibody. Nature 501, 439-443 (2013)).

[0468] FIG. 22 shows for Example 12 the prophylactic efficacy of the anti-ZIKV EDIII-specific mAb ZKA190 against ZIKV strains MP1741. (A) Shown is the viremia measured as PFU/ml on day 5 in blood of all animals. (B) Viral load was measured as genomic copies/ml by qPCR on day 5 in blood of all animals and in blood and indicated tissues when animals were culled at the end of the study or when the humane end points were met. (C) Mice were monitored over a 14 day period for body weight loss (D) Human serum IgG concentration in day 5 blood samples. Significance was determined compared to control antibody treatment by nonparametric unpaired Mann-Whitney U test. *p<0.05; **p<0.01; ***p<0.001.

[0469] FIG. 23 shows for Example 12 the therapeutic efficacy of the anti-ZIKV EDIII-specific mAb ZKA190. (A) Viral loads were measured as PFUs on day 5 in blood of all animals. (B) Viral loads were measured as genomic copies by qPCR on day 5 in blood of all animals and in blood and indicated tissues when animals were culled at the end of the study or when the human end points were met. Significance was determined compared to control antibody treatment by nonparametric unpaired Mann-Whitney U test. *p<0.05; **p<0.01. (C) Human serum IgG concentration in day 5 blood samples.

EXAMPLES

[0470] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided in the following examples. The following examples are presented only by way of illustration and to assist one of ordinary skill in using the invention. The examples are not intended in any way to otherwise limit the scope of the invention.

Example 1: Isolation of ZIKV-Specific Antibodies and Production of Monoclonal Antibodies

[0471] IgG+ memory B cells were isolated from cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of four ZIKV-infected donors (ZKA, ZKB, ZKC and ZKD) using CD22 microbeads (Miltenyi Biotec), followed by depletion of cells carrying IgM, IgD and IgA by cell sorting. Memory B cells from the ZIKV-infected donors were then immortalized with EBV (Epstein Barr Virus) and CpG (CpG oligodeoxynucleotide 2006) in multiple replicate wells as previously described (Traggiai, E. et al., Nat. Med. 10, 871-875, 2004) and culture supernatants were then tested in a primary screening using in parallel a 384-well based micro-neutralization assay and a binding assay (ELISA) to test their binding to ZIKV NS1 protein or to ZIKV E protein. Results of the binding assay are shown in FIG. 1 (binding to ZIKV E protein) and FIG. 2 (binding to ZIKV NS1 protein).

[0472] Neutralization assays were undertaken on Vero cells. In a 384-well plate, ZIKV H/PF/2013 that resulted in an infection rate (m.o.i, multiplicity of infection) of 0.35 was incubated with superntanants for 1 h at 37% (5% CO2) before the addition to pre-seeded 5,000 Vero cells. These were incubated for a further 5 days, after which supernatant was removed and WST-1 reagent (Roche) was added. Positive cultures were collected and expanded. From positive cultures the VH and VL sequences were retrieved by RT-PCR. Antibodies were cloned into human IgG1 and Ig kappa or Ig lambda expression vectors (kindly provided by Michel Nussenzweig, Rockefeller University, New York, US) essentially as described (Tiller T, Meffre E, Yurasov S, Tsuiji M, Nussenzweig M C, Wardemann H (2008) Efficient generation of monoclonal antibodies from single human B cells by single cell RT-PCR and expression vector cloning. J Immunol Methods 329: 112-124). Monoclonal antibodies were produced from EBV-immortalized B cells or by transient transfection of 293 Freestyle cells (Invitrogen). Supernatants from B cells or transfected cells were collected and IgG were affinity purified by Protein A or Protein G chromatography (GE Healthcare) and desalted against PBS.

[0473] FIG. 1 provides an overview over selected ZIKV neutralizing antibodies (cf. Tables 1 and 2 for the amino acid sequences of their CDRs and heavy/light chain variable regions). The last two columns of FIG. 1 provide the neutralization activities (IC.sub.50) of ZIKV and DENV1 (if tested). The other columns provide binding activities (EC.sub.50) of the antibodies to ZIKV E protein (ZIKV E), DENV1 E protein (DENV1 E), DENV2 E protein (DENV2 E), DENV3 E protein (DENV3 E), DENV4 E protein (DENV4 E), DENV1 virus-like particle (DENV1 VLP), DENV2 virus-like particle (DENV2 VLP), DENV3 virus-like particle (DENV3 VLP), DENV4 virus-like particle (DENV4 VLP), and to EDIII-domain of ZIKV E protein (DIII ZKA).

[0474] Additional antibodies were isolated for their ability to bind to ZIKV NS1 protein (cf. FIG. 2). Positive cultures were collected and expanded. From positive cultures the VH and VL sequences were retrieved by RT-PCR. Antibodies were cloned into human IgG1 and Ig kappa or Ig lambda expression vectors (kindly provided by Michel Nussenzweig, Rockefeller University, New York, US) essentially as described (Tiller T, Meffre E, Yurasov S, Tsuiji M, Nussenzweig M C, Wardemann H (2008) Efficient generation of monoclonal antibodies from single human B cells by single cell RT-PCR and expression vector cloning. J Immunol Methods 329: 112-124). Monoclonal antibodies were produced from EBV-immortalized B cells or by transient transfection of 293 Freestyle cells (Invitrogen). Supernatants from B cells or transfected cells were collected and IgG were affinity purified by Protein A or Protein G chromatography (GE Healthcare) and desalted against PBS.

[0475] FIG. 2 provides an overview over selected ZIKV NS1-protein binding antibodies (cf. Tables 4 and 5 for the amino acid sequences of their CDRs and heavy/light chain variable regions). Namely, FIG. 2 provides binding activities (EC.sub.50) of the antibodies to ZIKV NS1 protein (ZIKV NS1), DENV1 NS1 protein (DENV1 NS1), DENV2 NS1 protein (DENV2 NS1), DENV3 NS1 protein (DENV3 NS1), DENV4 NS1 protein (DENV4 NS1), yellow-fever virus NS1 protein (YFV NS1), West-Nile virus NS1 protein (WNV NS1), Japanese-Encephalitis virus NS1 protein (JEV NS1), and to Tick-borne Encephalitis virus NS1 protein (TBEV NS1).

Example 2: Characterization of Antibodies ZKA190, ZKA185, ZKA230, ZKA64 and ZKA78

[0476] In Example 1, a large number of ZIKV-neutralizing antibodies were identified and characterized for their specificity to ZIKV, in particular ZIKV E protein and ZIKV EDIII as well as for their cross-reactivity towards DENV. Antibodies ZKA190 (SEQ ID NOs: 1-18), ZKA185 (SEQ ID NOs: 19-36), ZKA230 (SEQ ID NOs: 37-54), ZKA64 (SEQ ID NOs: 73-90) and ZKA 78 (SEQ ID NOs: 55-72) described in Example 1 were then selected and further tested against ZIKV E protein (ZIKV), ZIKV EDIII (DIIIZI) and also tested against the E protein of dengue virus (DENV, serotype number 1) by ELISA. To this end, a standard ELISA was used. Briefly, ELISA plates were coated with ZIKV E protein at 1 or 3 ?g/ml, blocked with 10% FCS in PBS, incubated with sera or human antibodies and washed. Bound antibodies were detected by incubation with AP-conjugated goat anti-human IgG (Southern Biotech). Plates were then washed, substrate (p-NPP, Sigma) was added and plates were read at 405 nm. The relative affinities of monoclonal antibody binding were determined by measuring the concentration of antibody (EC50) required to achieve 50% maximal binding at saturation.

[0477] Results are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Of note, ZKA64 and ZKA190 bound to ZIKV E and ZIKV EDIII (DIII ZI) with low EC50 values, thereby indicating that ZKA64 and ZKA190 are binding to domain III of ZIKV E protein (EDIII). ZKA78 bound to ZIKV E, but not to ZIKV EDIII, indicating that ZKA78 is binding to ZIKV E, but not targeting the EDIII region. Despite their considerable ZIKV neutralizing activity (cf. FIG. 1), antibodies ZKA185 and ZKA230 did not show any detectable binding to ZIKV E and ZIKV EDIII (FIG. 4). Accordingly, ZKA185 and ZKA230 were referred to as neutralizing-non-E-binding (NNB) antibodies. Those NNB antibodies are assumed to recognize quaternary epitopes that are displayed on the ZIKV infectious virions but not on soluble proteins.

[0478] Moreover, none of ZKA190, ZKA185, ZKA230, and ZKA64 showed any detectable binding to DENV E proteins (FIG. 1, DENV1-4 serotypes, and FIGS. 3 and 4), indicating that ZKA190, ZKA185, ZKA230, and ZKA64 are specific for ZIKV and not cross-reactive to dengue virus. ZKA78, in contrast, which is assumed to bind to ZIKV EDI/II, but not to ZIKV EDIII (cf. FIG. 3), bound to DENV E proteins (FIGS. 1 and 3), indicating that ZKA78 is a cross-reactive antibody binding to both, ZIKV and DENV.

[0479] To further confirm those results, the ZIKV E protein binding antibodies ZKA190, ZKA64 and ZKA78 were additionally tested against E protein of dengue virus (DENV, serotypes number 1-4). ZKA64 and ZKA190 did not bind to DENV1-4 E protein, thereby confirming that ZKA64 and ZKA190 are specific for ZIKV. ZKA78, in contrast, bound to DENV1-4 E, confirming that ZKA78 is a cross-reactive antibody binding to the E protein of both ZIKV and DENV (cf. FIG. 1).

Example 3: Characterization of ZIKV NS1-Specific Antibodies for Serological Diagnosis

[0480] In Example 1, a large number of NS1-reactive antibodies were identified and then characterized for their specificity to ZIKV NS1 and cross-reactivity towards other Flavivirus NS1 proteins (FIG. 2). Antibodies ZKA15 (SEQ ID NOs: 91-108), ZKA25 (SEQ ID NOs: 109-126) and ZKA35 (SEQ ID NOs: 127-144) were then further characterized for binding to ZIKV NS1 and DENV1 NS1, DENV2 NS1, DENV3 NS1 and DENV4 NS1. To this end, a standard ELISA was used. Briefly, ELISA plates were coated with ZIKV NS1 protein at 1 ?g/ml, blocked with 10% FCS in PBS, incubated with sera or human antibodies and washed. Bound antibodies were detected by incubation with AP-conjugated goat anti-human IgG (Southern Biotech). Plates were then washed, substrate (p-NPP, Sigma) was added and plates were read at 405 nm. The relative affinities of monoclonal antibody binding were determined by measuring the concentration of antibody (EC50) required to achieve 50% maximal binding at saturation.

[0481] Results are shown in FIG. 5. All three antibodies (ZKA15, ZKA25 and ZKA35) bound with high affinity to ZIKV NS1 but not to the DENV1-4 NS1 antigens (FIG. 5).

[0482] To investigate the binding of the antibodies to ZIKV NS1 further, bio-layer interferometry competition assays were used. A cross-competition matrix was generated using biolayer interferometry (BLI; Octet) on 13 antibodies specific for ZIKV NS1 (i.e. not cross-reactive with DENV NS1), namely antibodies ZKA24, ZKA15, ZKA32, ZKA19, ZKA50, ZKA37, ZKA46, ZKA10, ZKA48, ZKA35, ZKA25, ZKA44, and ZKA30 (cf. FIG. 6A). As can be retrieved from FIG. 2 none of those 13 antibodies showed detectable binding to DENV NS1.

[0483] Competition assays and antigenic sites determination were determined at 37? C. with a Octet RED96 system, Fort?Bio. The ZIKV-NS1 protein diluted to 2.5 ?g/ml in PBS was immobilized for 7-9 minutes on the surface of an APS coated sensor-chip. Coated biosensors were placed in wells containing blocking buffer (0.1% BSA in PBS) for 6 minutes to block free Biosensor binding sites. Coated-Biosensors were then incubated for 8 minutes with a set of single purified mAbs specific for ZIKV-NS1 diluted in blocking buffer at 10 ?g/ml. After binding of the first set of mAbs (step 1), Biosensors were moved to wells containing different mAbs for 8 minutes (step 2). Association of the second mAb resulted in recognition of a different antigenic site compared to the first mAb (e.g. non-competition). Competition or partial competition were determined in step 2 when no association or low association was detected, respectively. A cross-competition matrix was created by multiple runs of competitions in order to predict antigenic site mapping on ZIKV NS1.

[0484] Results are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6C. Firstly, all of the ZIKV NS1-specific antibodies tested were binding to antigenic site(s) S1 and/or S2 (FIG. 6A). However, some of the antibodies did not compete with others. For example, ZKA15 did not compete for binding with ZKA25 and ZKA35 and vice versa (FIG. 6A). Accordingly, antibody ZKA15 was assigned to the antigenic site S1, while antibodies ZKA25 and ZKA35 were assigned to the antigenic site S2 (FIG. 6C). In summary, based on the antibodies used, antigenic sites (S1 and S2) on ZIKV NS1 were identified (FIG. 6C).

[0485] Additionally, binding of 10 antibodies cross-reacting to ZIKV NS1 protein and to DENV NS1 protein (namely, ZKA18, ZKA29, ZKA39, ZKA53, ZKA54, ZKB19, ZKB23, ZKC29, ZKC33, and ZKC34; FIG. 6B) to antigenic sites S1 and/or S2 on ZIKV NS1 was investigated. As can be retrieved from FIG. 2 all of those 10 antibodies showed binding to DENV NS1. Those 10 cross-reactive antibodies were tested in a cross-competition assay as described above (for the ZIKV NS1-specific antibodies) against ZIKV NS1 S1-specific antibody ZKA15 and against ZIKV NS1 S2-specific antibody ZKA35.

[0486] Results are shown in FIG. 6B. Interestingly, none of the ten cross-reactive antibodies tested competed with ZKA 15 and/or ZKA35 for binding to antigenic site(s) S1 and/or S2 on ZIKV NS1 (FIG. 6B). These results show that ZKA15 and ZKA35 antigenic site is not targeted by NS1 cross-reactive antibodies. Thus, NS1 antigenic sites S1 and S2 were targeted by ZIKV-specific, but not by cross-reactive antibodies.

Example 4: Use of ZIKV NS1-Specific Antibodies in Diagnosis of ZIKV Infection

[0487] In the present Example, the usefulness of the ZIKV NS1-specific antibodies of the present invention in diagnosis of ZIKV infection was investigated. More specifically, the use of ZIKV NS1-specific antibodies of the present invention to specifically detect the presence or absence of antibodies elicited against ZIKV NS1 in plasma samples of ZIKV- or DENV-infected donors was determined.

[0488] To this end, a blockade of binding assay was used. In particular, the ability of ZIKV NS1-reactive plasma antibodies to inhibit the binding of the biotinylated antibody ZKA35 to ZIKV NS1 was measured. To this end, ZIKV NS1-specific antibody ZKA35 was biotinylated using the EZ-Link NHS-PEO solid phase biotinylation kit (Pierce). Labelled ZKA35 was tested for binding to ZIKV NS1 to determine the optimal concentration of ZKA35 to achieve 70% maximal binding. Plasma samples from ZIKV- (n=4), DENV-immune (n=5) donors and control (n=48) plasma (1/10 dilution) were added to ELISA plates coated with ZIKV NS1. After 1 h, biotinylated anti-ZIKV NS1 antibody ZKA35 was added at the concentration achieving 70% maximal binding and the mixture was incubated at room temperature for 15 minutes. Plates were washed, substrate (p-NPP, Sigma) was added and plates were read at 405 nm. The percentage of inhibition was calculated as follow: (1?[(OD sample?OD neg ctr)/(OD pos ctr?OD neg ctr)])?100.

[0489] Results are shown in FIG. 7. Of note, antibody ZKA35 binding to the antigenic site S2 on NS1 was inhibited only by plasma samples from ZIKV-immune donors, but not DENV-immune donors, and its binding was also not inhibited by 48 control plasma samples (FIG. 7). Accordingly, this assay may be used as to specifically detect clinical and sub-clinical ZIKV infections at the population level.

Example 5: The Antibodies According to the Present Invention Potently Neutralize ZIKV Infection

[0490] The isolated antibodies ZKA190, ZKA185, ZKA230, ZKA64 and ZKA78 were tested for their ability to neutralize ZIKV and DENV1 infection in vitro.

[0491] Neutralization of DENV and ZIKV infection by antibodies was measured using a micro-neutralization flow cytometry-based assay. Different dilutions of antibodies were mixed with ZIKV (MOI of 0.35) or attenuated DENV1 (all at MOI of 0.04) for 1 hour at 37? C. and added to 5000 Vero cells/well in 96-well flat-bottom plates. After four days for ZIKV and five days for DENV, the cells were fixed with 2% formaldehyde, permeabilized in PBS 1%.Math.FCS 0.5% saponin, and stained with the mouse mAb 4G2. The cells were incubated with a goat anti-mouse IgG conjugated to Alexa Fluor488 (Jackson Immuno-Research, 115485164) and analyzed by flow cytometry. In other cases the ZIKV neutralization data are also determined measuring cell viability using the WST-1 reagent (Roche). The neutralization titer (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50]) was expressed as the antibody concentration that reduced the infection by 50% compared to cell-only control wells.

[0492] Results are shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 13. The EDIII-specific mAbs ZKA64 and ZKA190 and the NNB mAb ZKA230 were highly potent in ZIKV neutralization (strain H/PF/2013), with IC50 values of 93, 9 and 10 ng/ml, respectively (FIG. 8, upper panel). In contrast, the cross-reactive antibody ZKA78 only partially neutralized ZIKV infectivity and cross-neutralized DENV1 infectivity (FIG. 8, lower panels). Similar data were obtained by measuring the ZIKV-induced cytopathic effect as measured with the WST-1 reagent (FIG. 9). In this second assay, NNB antibody ZKA185 was also included in the panel of tested antibodies and showed an IC50 similar to the most potent antibodies ZKA190 (EDIII-specific) and ZKA230 (NNB).

[0493] It is important to note that the ultra-potent ZKA64 and ZKA190 antibodies in addition to their ability to neutralize the ZIKV H/PH/2013 strain (present example), also bound to the E protein and EDIII derived from the ZIKV strains MR766 and SPH2015, respectively (FIG. 1 and FIG. 3). ZKA190 and ZKA190-LALA was also confirmed to effectively neutralize two additional ZIKV strains (MR766 and MRS_OPY_Martinique_PaRi_2015) (FIG. 13). Taken together the results indicate that the ultra-potent ZKA64 and ZKA190 antibodies cross-react with multiple strains of ZIKV belonging to different genotypes and origins (East African and Asian from Uganda, French Polynesia, Martinique and Brazil).

Example 6: The LALA Mutation Inhibits Antibody-Dependent Enhancement of ZIKV Infection by Serum Antibodies

[0494] Neutralizing antibodies were also tested for their ability to enhance the infection of ZIKV in the non-permissive K562 cells (antibody-dependent enhancement assay, ADE assay). ADE was measured by a flow based assay using K562 cells. Antibodies and ZIKV H/PF/2013 (MOI 0.175) were mixed for 1 hour at 37? C. and added to 5000 K562 cells/well. After four days, cells were fixed, permeabilized, and stained with m4G2. The number of infected cells was determined by flow cytometry.

[0495] Results are shown in FIG. 10. All antibodies enhanced infection of Z1KV in the non-permissive K562 cells at a broad range of concentrations, including those that fully neutralized ZIKV infection on Vero cells (FIG. 10). Of note, while EDIII-specific antibodies ZKA64 and ZKA190 fully neutralized ZIKV infections of K562 cells above 1 ?g/ml, the NNB antibody ZKA230 failed to do so, a result that might be due to the different mechanisms of neutralization of free viruses versus Fc-gamma-receptor-internalized viruses. In contrast, the cross-reactive ZKA78 that only partially neutralized ZIKV infectivity, effectively enhanced ZIKV infection of K562 cells. These results show that cross-reactive antibodies elicited by either ZIKV or DENV infection can mediate heterologous ADE.

[0496] In view thereof it was investigated whether ADE could be also induced by immune sera and whether this could be blocked by neutralizing antibodies delivered as a LALA variant. To obtain the LALA variant, each of the heavy chains was mutated at amino acids 4 and 5 of CH2 domain by substituting an alanine in place of the natural leucine using site-directed mutagenesis. As described above, LALA variants (of human IgG1 antibodies) do not bind to Fc-gamma-receptors and complement.

[0497] To investigate the effect of ZKA64-LALA antibody in ZIKV ADE, an inhibition of ADE assay was used. Since ADE of ZIKV is observed using ZIKV- or DENV-immune plasma, ZIKV (MOI 0.175) was mixed with plasma from primary ZIKV- or DENV-infected donors for 30 minutes at 37? C. ZKA64-LALA antibody was added at 50 ?g/ml, mixed with 5000 K562 cells/well and incubated for three days. Cells were then stained with 4G2 and analyzed by flow cytometry.

[0498] Results are shown in FIG. 11. In a homologous setting, four ZIKV-immune plasma collected from convalescent patients and one DENV-immune plasma showed similar capacity to enhance ZIKV infection of K562 cells (FIG. 11, upper panel), and this ADE effect was completely blocked by the EDIII-specific ZKA64-LALA antibody (FIG. 11, lower panel).

[0499] Of note, the ADE effect of ZIKV- and DENV-immune plasma was completely blocked by the EDIII-specific ZKA64-LALA antibody. The ADE blocking ability of a single EDIII-specific LALA antibody could be related not only to its capacity to out-compete serum enhancing antibodies but also to neutralize virus once internalized into endosomes.

[0500] These results indicate that a potently neutralizing antibody, such as ZKA190, ZKA230, ZKA185 or ZKA64, developed in the LALA form, have a strong potential to be used in prophylactic or therapeutic settings to prevent congenital ZIKV infection, e.g. in pregnant women and/or in people living in high risk areas. The use of the LALA form avoids the risk of ZIKV ADE and, as shown above, could also block ADE of pre-existing cross-reactive antibodies, such as in the case of patients already immune to DENV.

Example 7: Analysis of Samples from European Residents Using ZIKV NS1-Specific Antibodies for Diagnosis of ZIKV Infection

[0501] The present Example is based on the blockade of binding assay described in Example 4. To further assess the specificity of the ZIKV NS1 BOB assay, a large set of samples obtained from patients infected with DENV, WNV or Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was tested.

[0502] To this end, a blockade of binding assay was used. Polystyrene plates were coated overnight with 1 ?g/ml of ZIKV NS1 and blocked for 1 hour with PBS containing 1% BSA. Plasma or serum (1:10 dilution) were added to NS1-coated ELISA plates. Thereafter, e.g. after 1 hour, an equal volume of biotinylated anti-NS1 ZKA35 was added, and the mixture was incubated, e.g. at room temperature for 15 minutes. Plates were washed and alkaline-phosphatase-conjugated streptavidin was added, e.g. for 30 minutes. Plates were washed again and the substrate was added. The percentage of inhibition was calculated as follow: (1?[(OD sample?OD neg ctr)/(OD pos ctr?OD neg ctr)])?100.

[0503] Results are shown in FIG. 14. Thirty-one of 32 samples (96.9%) from WNV patients collected more than 10 days after symptom onset scored negative. Of note, the only positive was obtained from a sample collected in 2016. Two of 27 samples from DENV patients collected more than 10 days after symptom onset scored positive, and the two positive samples were derived from secondary DENV infections. In addition, none of the samples derived from chikungunya patients or YFV-vaccines scored positive. A large number of plasma samples from Swiss blood donors (n=116) collected between 2010 and 2016 was also tested. None of those samples scored positive. The results obtained confirmed and strengthened the high sensitivity and specificity of the NS1 BOB ELISA assay.

Example 8: An Antibody According to the Present Invention Neutralizes ZIKV More Potently than Prior Art Antibody EDE1 mAb C8

[0504] To compare the neutralizing antibodies according to the present invention with highly neutralizing anti-ZIKV antibodies of the prior art, neutralization performance of ZKA190 was compared to that of prior art highly neutralizing mAb EDE1 C8 (Barba-Spaeth G, Dejnirattisai W, Rouvinski A, Vaney M C, Medits I, Sharma A, Simon-Lori?re E, Sakuntabhai A, Cao-Lormeau V M, Haouz A, England P, Stiasny K, Mongkolsapaya J, Heinz F X, Screaton G R, Rey F A. Structural basis of potent Zika-dengue virus antibody cross-neutralization. Nature. 2016 Aug. 4; 536(7614):48-53). Neutralization of both antibodies was tested against a panel of four distinct ZIKV strains (H/PF/2013; MR766, MRS-OPY and PV10552).

[0505] Briefly, neutralization of ZIKV infection by mAbs was measured using a micro-neutralization flow cytometry-based assay. Different dilutions of mAbs were mixed with ZIKV (MOI of 0.35) for 1 hour at 37? C. and added to 5000 Vero cells/well in 96-well flat-bottom plates. After four days for ZIKV, the cells were fixed with 2% formaldehyde, permeabilized in PBS containing 1% fetal calf serum (Hyclone) and 0.5% saponin, and stained with the mouse mAb 4G2. The cells were incubated with a goat anti-mouse IgG conjugated to Alexa Fluor488 (Jackson Immuno-Research, 115485164) and analyzed by flow cytometry. The neutralization titer (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50]) is expressed as the antibody concentration that reduced the infection by 50% compared to virus-only control wells.

[0506] Results are shown in FIG. 15. ZKA190 mAb potently neutralized African, Asian and American strains with an IC50 ranging from 0.6 to 8 ng/ml. In comparison, prior art antibody C8 was about 24-fold less potent.

Example 9: Further Characterization of Antibody ZKA190

[0507] The potency of antibody ZKA190 was further investigated in vitro and in vivo. To this end, the mAb was synthesized in IgG1 wild-type (wt) format and in an IgG1 Fc-LALA format. Briefly, the VH and VL sequences were cloned into human Ig?1, Ig? and Ig? expression vectors (kindly provided by Michel Nussenzweig, Rockefeller University, New York, N.Y., USA), essentially as described (Tiller T, Meffre E, Yurasov S, Tsuiji M, Nussenzweig M C, Wardemann H: Efficient generation of monoclonal antibodies from single human B cells by single cell RT-PCR and expression vector cloning. J Immunol Methods 2008, 329:112-124). Recombinant mAbs were produced by transient transfection of EXPI293 cells (Invitrogen), purified by Protein A chromatography (GE Healthcare) and desalted against PBS. To obtain the LALA variant, each of the heavy chains was mutated at amino acids 4 and 5 of CH2 domain by substituting an alanine in place of the natural leucine using site-directed mutagenesis. As described above, LALA variants (of human IgG1 antibodies) do not bind to Fc-gamma-receptors and complement.

[0508] As shown in FIG. 15A and described in Example 8, ZKA190 was tested against a panel of four ZIKV strains. ZKA190 mAb potently neutralized African, Asian and American strains with an IC50 ranging from 0.004 to 0.05 nM (FIG. 15A; 0.6 to 8 ng/ml).

[0509] Since ZIKV has been shown to infect human neural progenitor cells (hNPC) leading to heightened cell toxicity, dysregulation of cell-cycle and reduced cell growth, ZKA190 and ZKA190-LALA were tested in hNPCs. To this end, adult male fibroblasts obtained from the Movement Disorders Bio-Bank (Neurogenetics Unit of the Neurological Institute Carlo Besta, Milan) were reprogrammed using the CytoTune-iPS 2.0 Sendai kit (Life Technologies). hiPSCs were maintained in feeder-free conditions in mTeSR1 (Stem Cell Technologies). To generate embryoid bodies (EBs), dissociated hiPSCs were plated into low adhesion plates in mTeSR1 supplemented with N2 (0.5?) (ThermoFisher Scientific), human Noggin (0.5 mg/ml, R&D System), SB431542 (5 ?M, Sigma), Y27632 (10 ?M, Miltenyi Biotec) and penicillin/streptomycin (1%, Sigma) (as described in Marchetto M C N, Carromeu C, Acab A, Yu D, Yeo G W, Mu Y, Chen G, Gage F H, Muotri A R: A model for neural development and treatment of Rett syndrome using human induced pluripotent stem cells. Cell 2010, 143:527-539). To obtain rosettes, EBs were plated after 10 days onto matrigel-coated plates (1:100, matrigel growth factor reduced, Corning) in DMEM/F12 (Sigma) with N2 (1:100), non-essential amino acids (1%, ThermoFisher Scientific) and penicillin/streptomycin. After 10 days, cells were passaged with Accutase (Sigma) and seeded onto matrigel coated-flasks in NPC media containing DMEM/F12, N2 (0.25%), B27 (0.5%, ThermoFisher Scientific), penicillin/streptomycin and FGF2 (20 ng/ml, ThermoFisher Scientific). hNPCs (3?104) were plated on coverslips in 24-well plates 3 days prior to infection with PRVABC59 strain. Virus stock was incubated with the mAbs 1 h prior to addition to hNPCs to obtain an MOI of 0.5. After 4 h of virus adsorption, culture supernatant was removed and fresh medium containing the mAbs was re-added. Supernatant was collected 96 h post-infection to measure virus titers by plaque assay on Vero cells. Cells were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA, Sigma) solution in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, Euroclone) for 30 min for indirect immunofluorescence. Fixed cells were permeabilized for 30 minutes (min) in blocking solution, containing 0.2% Triton X-100 (Sigma) and 10% donkey serum (Sigma), and incubated overnight at 4? C. with the primary antibodies in blocking solution. The following antibody was used for detection: anti-envelope (1:200, Millipore, MAB10216). Then, cells were washed with PBS and incubated for 1 h with Hoechst and anti-mouse Alexa Fluor-488 secondary antibodies (1:1,000 in blocking solution, ThermoFisher Scientific). After PBS washes, cells were washed again and mounted. Results are shown in FIG. 16A. Both, ZKA190 and ZKA190-LALA, fully abolished infection and replication of ZIKV in hNPCs.

[0510] Next, the ability of ZKA190 and ZKA190-LALA to cause ADE was tested in the K562 cell line as described in Example 6. Briefly, ADE was measured by a flow based assay using K562 cells. Briefly, for ZKA190, ZKA190 and ZIKV H/PF/2013 (MOI 0.175) were mixed for 1 hour at 37? C. and added to 5000 K562 cells/well. After four days, cells were fixed, permeabilized, and stained with mAb m4G2. The number of infected cells was determined by flow cytometry. For ZKA190-LALA, ZIKV (MOI 0.175) was mixed with plasma from primary ZIKV-infected donors for 30 minutes at 37? C. ZKA190-LALA was added at 50 ?g/ml, mixed with 5000 K562 cells/well and incubated for three days. Cells were then stained with 4G2 and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results are shown in FIG. 16B. ZKA190 supports ADE from 0.0001 to 1 nM; as expected, ZKA190-LALA did not show any ADE activity. The ability of ZKA190-LALA to inhibit ADE induced by plasma from four ZIKV-immune donors in K562 cells was also tested. Results are shown in FIG. 16C. It was found that ZKA190-LALA completely inhibited the ADE induced by plasma antibodies (FIG. 16C).

[0511] Anti-prM antibodies form part of the predominant antibodies elicited during the human immune response against flaviviruses and have been shown to enhance virus infection in vitro (Dejnirattisai, W., Jumnainsong, A., Onsirisakul, N., Fitton, P., Vasanawathana, S., Limpitikul, W., Puttikhunt, C., Edwards, C., Duangchinda, T., Supasa, S., et al. (2010). Cross-reacting antibodies enhance dengue virus infection in humans. Science 328, 745-748). K562 cells were pre-incubated with serial dilutions of prM cross-reactive antibody DV62 (Beltramello, M., Williams, K. L., Simmons, C. P., Macagno, A., Simonelli, L., Quyen, N. T. H., Sukupolvi-Petty, S., Navarro-Sanchez, E., Young, P. R., de Silva, A. M., et al. (2010). The human immune response to Dengue virus is dominated by highly cross-reactive antibodies endowed with neutralizing and enhancing activity. Cell Host Microbe 8, 271-283) derived from a DENV immune donor. Results are shown in FIG. 16D. DV62 cross-reacted with ZIKV prM protein and caused ADE at a broad range of concentrations (FIG. 16D). ZKA190-LALA can fully block anti-prM DV62 mAb-induced ADE of immature or partially immature ZIKV particles (FIG. 16D).

[0512] Finally, the ability of different concentrations of ZKA190, ZKA190-LALA and ZKA190 Fab to cause or block ADE of ZIKV in the presence of enhancing concentrations of human anti-DENV2 plasma or DV62 was tested. Results are shown in FIG. 16E. ZKA190 at low concentrations increased the prM DV62-mediated ADE of ZIKV infection, consistent with its ability to promote the entry of both immature and mature virions, while at concentrations above 1.3 nM (i.e., 200 ng/ml) ZKA190 blocked ADE induced by both DENV plasma and mAb DV62. ZKA190-LALA, as well as its Fab fragment, reduced ADE at concentrations above 0.06 nM, indicating that both inhibited virus infection at a post-attachment step, such as fusion.

Example 10: ZKA190 Binds to a Conserved and Highly Accessible Region of EDIII

[0513] To determine the ZKA190 epitope at the residue level, solution NMR spectroscopy was used as described in Bardelli, M., Livoti, E., Simonelli, L., Pedotti, M., Moraes, A., Valente, A. P., and Varani, L. (2015). Epitope mapping by solution NMR spectroscopy. J. Mol. Recognit. 28, 393-400; Simonelli, L., Beltramello, M., Yudina, Z., Macagno, A., Calzolai, L., and Varani, L. (2010). Rapid structural characterization of human antibody-antigen complexes through experimentally validated computational docking. J Mol Biol 396, 1491-1507; and Simonelli, L., Pedotti, M., Beltramello, M., Livoti, E., Calzolai, L., Sallusto, F., Lanzavecchia, A., and Varani, L. (2013). Rational Engineering of a Human Anti-Dengue Antibody through Experimentally Validated Computational Docking. PLoS ONE 8, e55561.

[0514] Briefly, spectra were recorded on a Bruker Avance 700 MHz NMR spectrometer at 300 K. For assignments of backbone resonances standard triple resonance experiments (HNCO, HN(CA)CO, HN(CO)CACB, HNCACB were used, while sidechains were annotated using HCCH-TOCSY and HBHA(CO)NH experiments. All NMR experiments were processed using Topspin 2.1 (Bruker Biospin) and analyzed with CARA. NOESY cross peaks were automatically assigned using the CYANA noeassign macro based on the manually assigned chemical shifts. Upper-distance restraints used for the structure calculations in CYANA using the standard simulated annealing protocol were derived from 70 ms .sup.15N- and .sup.13C-resolved NOESY spectra. Backbone dynamics of ZIKV EDIII were derived from .sup.15N relaxation measurements recorded on 600 and 700 MHz spectrometers. Proton-detected versions of the CPMG (R2), inversion-recovery (R1) and .sup.15N{.sup.1H}-steady-state NOE were utilized. Delay settings for the T2 series were in the range of 0 to 0.25 sec and for the T1 series between 0.02 to 2 sec. The .sup.15N{.sup.1H}-NOE experiment used a relaxation delay of 5 s. The R1 and R2 relaxation rates were derived from least-squares fits of corresponding exponential functions to the measured data using home-written scripts. The relaxation data were analyzed in a model-free approach using the software package DYNAMICS. The program ROTDIF was used to calculate the overall correlation time from the relaxation data (8.5 ns). NMR epitope mapping was performed as previously described (Bardelli et al., 2015; Simonelli et al., 2010; 2013). Briefly, overlay of .sup.15NHSQC spectra of labelled EDIII free or bound to ZKA190 Fab allowed identification of EDIII residues whose NMR signal changed upon complex formation, indicating that they were affected by ZKA190 binding. Changes were identified by manual inspection and by the Chemical Shift Perturbation (CSP), CSP=((??.sub.H).sup.2+(??.sub.N/10).sup.2).sup.1/2. NMR samples were typically 800 ?M of [.sup.15N, .sup.13C]-labeled EDIII in 20 mM sodium phosphate, 50 mM NaCl, pH 6.0. Perdeuterated (nominally 70%) .sup.2H, .sup.15N EDIII samples were used for NMR epitope mapping with a EDIII:ZKA190 Fab ratio of 1:1.1; EDIII concentration was typically 0.4 mM.

[0515] Since the NMR signal is strongly dependent on the local chemical environment, changes upon complex formation identify antigen residues that are affected by antibody binding, either directly or through allosteric effects. By comparing the NMR spectra of free and bound EDIII (FIG. 17A), residues affected by ZKA190 were mapped to the LR of EDIII, in particular to the BC, DE and FG loops, as well as to part of the EDI-EDIII hinge (FIG. 18A). These residues are nearly identical among 217 known ZIKV strains, with the exception of substitutions at V341 I and E393D in the Uganda 1947 isolate (FIG. 17D). These mutations are also present in the MR766 strain that was efficiently neutralized by ZKA190 (FIG. 15A). Analysis of the ZKA190 epitope on the uncomplexed ZIKV structure showed that the epitope is highly accessible, except for the FG loop in the 5-fold vertex (FIGS. 18B and 17C, molecule A).

[0516] Computational docking followed by molecular dynamics simulation, guided and validated by NMR-derived epitope information as well as EDIII mutagenesis, showed that ZKA190 binds through an interface characterized by shape and charge complementarity (FIGS. 18B and 17E). Docking indicates that there are no direct contacts between ZKA190 and the FG loop on EDIII, suggesting that changes in its NMR signals upon antibody binding derive from allosteric effects. This notion is supported by the fact that mutations of FG loop residues in recombinant EDIII, but not in other epitope regions, did not affect the binding affinity of ZKA190 for EDIII (FIGS. 18B and 19).

Example 11: Mechanisms of ZKA190 Neutralization

[0517] The ability of ZKA190 to efficiently neutralize the virus may involve inhibition of either cell attachment or membrane fusion. A further mechanism might involve virus inactivation through cross-linking of viral particles.

[0518] ZKA190 Fab can neutralize ZIKV, albeit less efficiently than the corresponding IgG. By binding to the EDI-EDIII linker, ZKA190 (both Fab and IgG) might inhibit the ?70 degree rotation of DIII required for viral fusion to the host cell membrane (Bressanelli, S., Stiasny, K., Allison, S. L., Stura, E. A., Duquerroy, S., Lescar, J., Heinz, F. X., and Rey, F. A. (2004). Structure of a Flavivirus envelope glycoprotein in its low-pH-induced membrane fusion conformation. Embo J 23, 728-738; Modis, Y., Ogata, S., Clements, D., and Harrison, S. C. (2004). Structure of the dengue virus envelope protein after membrane fusion. Nature 427, 313-319). Alternatively, ZKA190 might prevent the attachment of ZIKV to target cells.

[0519] The ability of ZKA190 to inhibit membrane fusion is supported by confocal microscopy analysis. To this end, Vero cells were plated at 7,500 cells/well on 12 mm-diameter coverslips in 24-well plates and incubated overnight. Cells were infected with ZIKV H/PF/2013 (MOI of 100) in the presence or absence of neutralizing concentrations of Alexa-488 conjugated mAbs (0.7 ?M) at 37? C. for 3 h, washed with PBS, and fixed with 2% paraformaldehyde in PBS for 30 min at room temperature. Acidified endosome were identified with Lysotracker red (Invitrogen) by adding the dye (50 nM) to the cells for the last 30 min of the incubation prior to fixation. Fixation was followed by extensive washes in PBS and 50 mM glycine and finally the coverslips were prepared for microscopy analysis using Vectashield mounting medium for fluorescence with DAPI (Vector Laboratories). Samples were analyzed by confocal microscopy using a Leica TCS SP5 microscope with a 63?/1.4 N.A. objective. Image analysis and processing was performed with FIJI software.

[0520] Results are shown in FIG. 20. Confocal microscopy analysis shows that ZKA190 (Fab or IgG) can enter Vero cells only when complexed with ZIKV, at neutralizing concentrations exceeding the IC50 by 10,000-fold (FIG. 20).

Example 12: In Vivo Characterization of the EDIII-Specific mAb ZKA190

[0521] To evaluate their prophylactic and therapeutic properties, ZKA190 and ZKA190-LALA were tested in A129 mice challenged with a lethal dose of ZIKV strain MP1751 (African lineage). To test their prophylactic potencies, ZKA190 and ZKA190-LALA were administered one day before virus challenge.

[0522] Female A129 mice (IFN-alpha/beta receptor ?/?) and wild-type 129Sv/Ev mice aged 5-8 weeks were administered mAbs (ZKA190, ZKA190-LALA and control antibody MPE8 (Corti, D., et al. Cross-neutralization of four paramyxoviruses by a human monoclonal antibody. Nature 501, 439-443 (2013)) diluted in PBS at different doses via the intraperitoneal (i.p.) route in a volume of 500 ?l. MAbs were administered either 1 day before or 1, 2, 3 or 4 days after virus challenge. Animals were challenged subcutaneously with 102 pfu ZIKV (strain MP1751) and followed for 14 days. Weights and temperatures were monitored daily and clinical observations were recorded at least twice per day. On day 5 post-challenge, 50 ?l of blood was collected from each animal into a RNAprotect tube (Qiagen, UK) and frozen at ?80? C. At the end of the study (14 days post-challenge) or when animals met human endpoints, necropsies were undertaken, and blood and sections of brain, spleen, liver, kidney and ovary were collected for virological analysis.

[0523] Tissue samples from A129 mice were weighed and homogenized into PBS using ceramic beads and an automated homogenizer (Precellys, UK) using six 5 second cycles of 6500 rpm with a 30 second gap. Two hundred ?l of tissue homogenate or blood solution was transferred into 600 ?L RLT buffer (Qiagen, UK) for RNA extraction using the RNeasy Mini extraction kit (Qiagen, UK); samples were passed through a QIAshredder (Qiagen, UK) as an initial step. A ZIKV specific realtime RT-PCR assay was utilized for the detection of viral RNA from subject animals. The primer and probe sequences were adopted from Quick et al., 2017 (Quick, J, Grubaugh N D, Pullan S T, Claro I M, Smith A D, Gangavarapu K, Oliveira G, Robles-Sikisaka R, Rogers T F, Beutler N A, et al.: Multiplex PCR method for MinION and Illumina sequencing of Zika and other virus genomes directly from clinical samples. Nat Protoc 2017, 12:1261-1276) with in-house optimization and validation performed to provide optimal mastermix and cycling conditions. Real-time RT-PCR was performed using the SuperScript III Platinum One-step qRT-PCR kit (Life Technologies, UK). The final mastermix (15 ?l) was comprised of 10 ?l of 2? Reaction Mix, 1.2 ?l of PCR-grade water, 0.2 ?l of 50 mM MgSO4, 1 ?l of each primer (ZIKV 1086 and ZIKV 1162c both at 18 ?M working concentration), 0.8 ?l of probe (ZIKV 1107-FAM at 25 ?M working concentration) and 0.8 ?l of SSIII enzyme mix. Five ?l of template RNA was added to the mastermix, yielding a final reaction volume of 20 ?l. The cycling conditions used were 50? C. for 10 minutes, 95? C. for 2 minutes, followed by 45 cycles of 95? C. for 10 seconds and 60? C. for 40 seconds, plus a final cooling step of 40? C. for 30 seconds. Quantification analysis using fluorescence was performed at the end of each 60? C. step. Reactions were run and analyzed on the 7500 Fast platform (Life Technologies, UK) using 7500 software version 2.0.6. Quantification of viral load in samples was performed using a dilution series of quantified RNA oligonucleotide (Integrated DNA Technologies). The oligonucleotide comprised the 77 bases of ZIKV RNA targeted by the assay, based on GenBank accession AY632535.2 and was synthesized to a scale of 250 nmole with HPLC purification.

[0524] Results are shown in FIGS. 21, 22 and 23. ZKA190 and ZKA190-LALA were shown to protect mice from mortality and morbidity at concentrations of 5, 1 or 0.2 mg/kg (FIG. 21A-B). ZKA190-LALA, and to a lesser extent ZKA190, delayed morbidity and mortality as compared to the control group at 0.04 mg/kg. Viral titers in blood and organs were reduced significantly compared to control antibody-treated animals, even in the presence of serum antibody levels below 1 ?g/ml (FIG. 22A-D).

[0525] To evaluate the therapeutic potential of ZKA190, we administered ZKA190 and ZKA190-LALA at different time-points following ZIKV infection. At a dose of 15 mg/kg, survival rates of 80%-100% were achieved, and the morbidity was greatly reduced even when treatment was given four days post-infection (FIG. 21E-G). ZKA190 and ZKA190-LALA treatment at all post-infection time-points resulted in significantly reduced viral titers, compared to animals treated with control antibody, with a clear trend for greater reduction with earlier treatment (FIG. 23A-21C). Of note, ZKA190-LALA showed a significantly reduced antiviral activity in the blood day 5 sample as compared to ZKA190 when mAbs were given four days post-infection, a result that might be related to the impaired ability of the LALA variant to facilitate rapid clearance of coated virions.

TABLE-US-00010 TablesofSequencesandSEQIDNumbers SEQ ID ZKA190 NO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 1 GFTFSKYG CDRH2 2 ISYEGSNK CDRH3 3 AKSGTQYYDTTGYEYRGLEYFGY CDRL1 4 QSVSSSY CDRL2 5 DAS CDRL2 6 LIYDASSRA long CDRL3 7 QQYGRSRWT VH 8 QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSKYGMHWVRQAPGKGLE WVAVISYEGSNKYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTA VYYCAKSGTQYYDTTGYEYRGLEYFGYWGQGTLVTVSS VL 9 EIVLTQSPGTLSLSPGERATLSCRASQSVSSSYLAWYQQKRGQAPR LLIYDASSRATGIPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISRLEPEDFAVYYCQQY GRSRWTFGQGTKVEIK ZKA190 SEQIDNO. Nucleicacidsequence CDRH1 10 ggattcaccttcagtaaatatggc CDRH2 11 atatcatatgagggaagtaataaa CDRH3 12 gcgaaatcggggacccaatactatgatactactggttatg agtataggggtttggaatactttggctac CDRL1 13 cagagtgttagtagcagttac CDRL2 14 gatgcatcc CDRL2 15 ctcatctatgatgcatccagcagggcc long CDRL3 16 cagcagtatggtaggtcaaggtggaca VH 17 caggtgcagctggtggagtctgggggaggcgtggtccagc ctgggaggtccctgagactctcctgtgcagcctctggatt caccttcagtaaatatggcatgcactgggtccgccaggct ccaggcaaggggctggagtgggtggcagttatatcatatg agggaagtaataaatattatgcagactccgtgaagggccg attcaccatctccagagacaattccaagaacacgctgtat ctgcaaatgaacagcctgagagctgaggacacggcagtgt attactgtgcgaaatcggggacccaatactatgatactac tggttatgagtataggggtttggaatactttggctactgg ggccagggaaccctggtcaccgtctcctcag VL 18 gaaattgtgttgacgcagtctccaggcaccctgtctttgt ctccaggggaaagagccaccctctcctgcagggccagtca gagtgttagtagcagttacttagcctggtaccagcagaaa cgtggccaggctcccaggctcctcatctatgatgcatcca gcagggccactggcatcccagacaggttcagtggcagtgg gtctgggacagacttcactctcaccatcagcagactggag cctgaagattttgcagtgtattactgtcagcagtatggta ggtcaaggtggacattcggccaagggaccaaggtggaaat caaac SEQ ID ZKA185 NO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 19 GYSFTSYW CDRH2 20 FDPSDSQT CDRH3 21 ARRYCSSSSCYVDN CDRL1 22 ALPNKF CDRL2 23 EDN CDRL2 24 VIYEDNKRP long CDRL3 25 YSTDSSSNPLGV VH 26 EVQLVQSGAEVKKPGESLRISCKGSGYSFTSYWITWVRQMPGKGLE WMAKFDPSDSQTNYSPSFQGHVTISVDKSISTAYLQWSSLKASDTA MYYCARRYCSSSSCYVDNWGQGTLVTIFS VL 27 SYELTQPPSVSVSPGQTARITCSGDALPNKFAYWYRQKSGQAPVLV IYEDNKRPSGIPERFSGSSSGTMATLTISGAQVEDEADYHCYSTDS SSNPLGVFGGGTKLTVL ZKA185 SEQIDNO. Nucleicacidsequence CDRH1 28 ggatatagttttaccagttactgg CDRH2 29 tttgatcctagtgactctcaaacc CDRH3 30 gcgagaagatattgtagtagtagtagttgttatgtggacaa t CDRL1 31 gcattgccaaataaattt CDRL2 32 gaggacaac CDRL2 33 gtcatctatgaggacaacaaacgaccc long CDRL3 34 tactcaacagacagcagttctaatcccctgggagta VH 35 gaagtgcagctggtgcagtccggagcagaggtgaaaaagcc cggggagtctctgaggatctcctgtaagggttctggatata gttttaccagttactggatcacctgggtgcgccagatgccc gggaaaggcctggagtggatggcgaagtttgatcctagtga ctctcaaaccaactacagcccgtccttccaaggccacgtca ccatctcagttgacaagtccatcagcactgcctacttgcag tggagcagcctgaaggcctcggacaccgccatgtattactg tgcgagaagatattgtagtagtagtagttgttatgtggaca attggggccagggaaccctggtcaccatcttctcag VL 36 tcctatgagctgacacagccaccctcggtgtcagtgtcccc aggacaaacggccaggatcacctgctctggagatgcattgc caaataaatttgcttattggtaccggcagaagtcaggccag gcccctgttctggtcatctatgaggacaacaaacgaccctc cgggatccctgagagattctctggctccagctcagggacaa tggccaccttgactatcagtggggcccaggtggaggatgaa gctgactaccactgttactcaacagacagcagttctaatcc cctgggagtattcggcggagggaccaagctgaccgtcctag SEQ ID ZKA230 NO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 37 GGSISSDY CDRH2 38 IYYSGST CDRH3 39 ARRRKYDSLWGSFAFDI CDRL1 40 SSNIGGNY CDRL2 41 IND CDRL2 42 LICINDHRP long CDRL3 43 ATWDDSLGGLV VH 44 QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCAVSGGSISSDYWSWIRQPPGKGLE WIGYIYYSGSTNYNPSLKSRVTISVDTSKNHFSLKLNSVTAADTAV YYCARRRKYDSLWGSFAFDIWGQGTMVTVSS VL 45 QSVLTQPPSASGTPGQRVTISCSGSSSNIGGNYVYWYQQLPGTAPK LLICINDHRPSGVPDRFSGSKSGTSASLAISGLQSEDEADYYCATW DDSLGGLVFGGGTKLTVL ZKA230 SEQIDNO. Nucleicacidsequence CDRH1 46 ggtggctccatcagtagtgactac CDRH2 47 atctattacagtgggagcacc CDRH3 48 gcgaggaggaggaagtatgattccctttgggggagttttgc ttttgatatc CDRL1 49 agctccaacatcggaggtaattat CDRL2 50 attaatgat CDRL2 51 ctcatctgtattaatgatcaccggccc long CDRL3 52 gcaacatgggatgacagcctgggtggccttgta VH 53 caggtgcagctgcaggagtcgggcccaggcctggtgaagcc ttcggagaccctgtccctcacctgcgcagtctctggtggct ccatcagtagtgactactggagctggatccggcagccccca gggaagggactggagtggattgggtatatctattacagtgg gagcaccaactacaacccctccctcaagagtcgagtcacca tatcagtagacacgtccaagaaccacttctccctgaagctg aactctgtgaccgctgcggacacggccgtgtattactgtgc gaggaggaggaagtatgattccctttgggggagttttgctt ttgatatctggggccaagggacaatggtcaccgtctcttca g VL 54 cagtctgtgctgactcagccaccctcagcgtctgggacccc cgggcagagggtcaccatctcttgttctggaagcagctcca acatcggaggtaattatgtatactggtaccagcagctccca ggaacggcccccaaactcctcatctgtattaatgatcaccg gccctcaggggtccctgaccgattctctggctccaagtctg gcacctcagcctccctggccatcagtgggctccagtccgag gatgaggctgattattactgtgcaacatgggatgacagcct gggtggccttgtattcggcggagggaccaagctgaccgtcc tag SEQ ID ZKA78 NO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 55 GFTFSNYA CDRH2 56 IGRNGDSI CDRH3 57 VKDLAIPESYRIEADY CDRL1 58 QSVLYRSNNKNY CDRL2 59 WAS CDRL2 60 LIYWASTRE long CDRL3 61 QQYYSSPRT VH 62 EVQLAESGGGLVQPGGSLTLSCSGSGFTFSNYAMVWARQAPGKGLE YVSGIGRNGDSIYYTDSVKGRFTISRDNSKSMVYLQMSSLRTEDTA VYYCVKDLAIPESYRIEADYWGQGTLVIVSA VL 63 DIVMTQSPDSLAVSLGERATINCKSSQSVLYRSNNKNYLSWYQQKP GQPPKLLIYWASTRESGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISPLQAEDVAVY YCQQYYSSPRTFGQGTKVEIK ZKA78 SEQIDNO. Nucleicacidsequence CDRH1 64 ggcttcacttttagtaactatgca CDRH2 65 atcgggcgcaacggggactctatc CDRH3 66 gtgaaagatctggccatccccgagtcctacagaattgaag ctgattat CDRL1 67 cagtccgtgctgtaccgctctaacaacaagaattac CDRL2 68 tgggcttca CDRL2 69 ctgatctattgggcttcaacccgggaa long CDRL3 70 cagcagtactattctagtcctcgaact VH 71 gaggtgcagctggcagaatcaggcgggggactggtccagc ctggcggcagcctgacactgtcttgcagtggatcaggctt cacttttagtaactatgcaatggtgtgggcaaggcaggct cctgggaagggactggagtatgtctctggcatcgggcgca acggggactctatctactatactgatagtgtgaagggccg gttcaccatcagcagagacaatagcaaatccatggtgtac ctgcagatgagctccctgcgaaccgaagacacagcagtgt actattgcgtgaaagatctggccatccccgagtcctacag aattgaagctgattattggggacagggcaccctggtcatc gtgagcgccg VL 72 gacatcgtgatgacacagtctccagatagtctggcagtca gtctgggggagagggccactattaactgcaagagctccca gtccgtgctgtaccgctctaacaacaagaattacctgtct tggtatcagcagaagcccggacagccccctaaactgctga tctattgggcttcaacccgggaaagcggcgtcccagacag attctcaggcagcgggtccggaacagacttcaccctgaca attagccccctgcaggcagaggacgtggctgtctactatt gtcagcagtactattctagtcctcgaactttcggccaggg gaccaaggtggaaatcaaac SEQ ID ZKA64 NO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 73 GYTFTGYH CDRH2 74 INPNSGGT CDRH3 75 ARMSSSIWGFDH CDRL1 76 QSVLIN CDRL2 77 GAS CDRL2 78 LIYGASSRA long CDRL3 79 QQYNDWPPIT VH 80 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYHIDWVRQARGQGLE WMGRINPNSGGTNYAQKFQGRVTMTRDTSISTAYMQLSRLRSDDSA VYYCARMSSSIWGFDHWGQGTLVTVSS VL 81 EIVMTQSPATLSVSPGERATLSCRASQSVLINLAWYQQKPGQAPRL LIYGASSRATGIPARFSGSGSGTEFTLTISSLQSEDFAVYYCQQYN DWPPITFGQGTRLEIK ZKA64 SEQIDNO. Nucleicacidsequence CDRH1 82 ggctacaccttcacagggtatcac CDRH2 83 attaaccctaattctggcgggacc CDRH3 84 gctcggatgagctcctctatttggggcttcgatcat CDRL1 85 cagtctgtgctgattaac CDRL2 86 ggagcatcc CDRL2 87 ctgatctatggagcatcctccagggct long CDRL3 88 cagcagtacaatgattggccccctatcaca VH 89 caggtgcagctggtccagagcggagcagaggtgaagaaacc cggcgcctcagtgaaggtcagctgcaaagcttccggctaca ccttcacagggtatcacatcgactgggtgaggcaggcaaga ggacagggactggaatggatgggacggattaaccctaattc tggcgggaccaactacgcccagaagtttcagggccgagtga ctatgaccagagacaccagcatctccacagcttatatgcag ctgtcccggctgagatctgacgatagtgccgtctactattg tgctcggatgagctcctctatttggggcttcgatcattggg ggcagggaacactggtgactgtcagttcag VL 90 gagatcgtgatgactcagtctccagccaccctgtcagtcag cccaggagaacgggcaaccctgtcttgcagagcctcccagt ctgtgctgattaacctggcttggtaccagcagaagccaggc caggcaccccgactgctgatctatggagcatcctccagggc taccggcattcctgcacgcttcagtggatcaggaagcggaa cagagtttaccctgacaatctctagtctgcagtccgaagac ttcgctgtctactattgtcagcagtacaatgattggccccc tatcacatttggccaggggactagactggagatcaagc ZKA15 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 91 GGFINSYY CDRH2 92 IYKSGST CDRH3 93 ARDPYGDYVKAFDI CDRL1 94 QSLLHSNGYNY CDRL2 95 LGS CDRL2 96 LIYLGSNRA long CDRL3 97 MQALQTVT VH 98 QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGGFINSYYWSWIRQPA GKGLEWIGRIYKSGSTNYNPSLKSRVTMSLDTSKYQFSLKL RSVTAADTAVYYCARDPYGDYVKAFDIWGQGTMVTVSS VL 99 DIVMTQSPLSLPVTPGEPASISCRSSQSLLHSNGYNYLNWY LQKPGQSPQLLIYLGSNRASGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISR VEAEDVGVYYCMQALQTVTFGPGTKVDIK ZKA15 SEQIDNO. Nucleicacidsequence CDRH1 100 ggtggcttcatcaatagttactac CDRH2 101 atctataaaagtgggagcacc CDRH3 102 gcgagagatccctacggtgactacgttaaggcttttgatat t CDRL1 103 cagagcctcctgcatagtaatggatacaactat CDRL2 104 ttgggttct CDRL2 105 ctgatctatttgggttctaatcgggcc long CDRL3 106 atgcaagctctacaaactgtcact VH 107 caggtgcagctgcaggagtcggggccaggactggtgaagcc ttcggagaccctgtccctcacctgcactgtctccggtggct tcatcaatagttactactggagctggatccggcagcccgcc gggaagggactggagtggattgggcgtatctataaaagtgg gagcaccaactacaacccctccctcaagagtcgagtcacca tgtcactagacacgtccaagtaccagttctccctgaagctg aggtctgtgaccgccgctgacacggccgtgtattactgtgc gagagatccctacggtgactacgttaaggcttttgatattt ggggccaagggacaatggtcaccgtctcttcag VL 108 gatattgtgatgactcagtctccactctccctgcccgtcac ccctggagagccggcctccatctcctgcaggtctagtcaga gcctcctgcatagtaatggatacaactatttgaattggtac ctgcagaagccagggcagtctccacagctcctgatctattt gggttctaatcgggcctccggggtccctgacaggttcagtg gcagtggatcaggcacagattttacactgaaaatcagcaga gtggaggctgaggatgttggggtttattactgcatgcaagc tctacaaactgtcactttcggccctgggaccaaagtggata tcaaac ZKA25 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 109 GFTFRSHW CDRH2 110 IKEDGYEK CDRH3 111 ARDLRVYSGRGFDP CDRL1 112 KLGDKY CDRL2 113 QDS CDRL2 114 VIYQDSKRP long CDRL3 115 QAWDSSTVV VH 116 EVQLVESGGGLVRPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFRSHWMSWVRQAP GKGLEWVANIKEDGYEKYYVDSVKGRFTISRDNAKNSLYLQ MKSLRAEDTAVYYCARDLRVYSGRGFDPWGQGTLVTVSS VL 117 SYELTQPPSLSVSPGQTASITCSGDKLGDKYACWYQQKPGQ SPVLVIYQDSKRPSGIPARFSGSNSGNTATLTISGTQAMDE ADYYCQAWDSSTVVFGGGTKLTVL ZKA25 SEQIDNO. Nucleicacidsequence CDRH1 118 ggattcacctttagaagtcattgg CDRH2 119 ataaaggaagatggatatgagaaa CDRH3 120 gcgagagatttgagggtatatagtgggagaggtttcgaccc c CDRL1 121 aaattgggggataaatat CDRL2 122 caagatagc CDRL2 123 gtcatctatcaagatagcaagcggccc long CDRL3 124 caggcgtgggacagcagcactgtggta VH 125 gaggtgcagttggtggagtctgggggaggcttggtccggcc tggggggtccctgagactctcctgtgcagcctctggattca cctttagaagtcattggatgagttgggtccgccaggctcca gggaaggggctggagtgggtggccaacataaaggaagatgg atatgagaaatactatgtggactctgtgaagggccgattca ccatctccagagacaacgccaagaactcactgtatctgcaa atgaagagcctgagagccgaggacacggccgtgtattactg tgcgagagatttgagggtatatagtgggagaggtttcgacc cctggggccagggaaccctggtcaccgtctcctcag VL 126 tcctatgagctgactcagccaccctcactgtccgtgtcccc aggacagacagccagcatcacctgctctggagataaattgg gggataaatatgcttgctggtatcagcagaagccaggccag tcccctgtgttggtcatctatcaagatagcaagcggccctc agggatccctgcgcgattctctggctccaactctgggaaca cagccactctgaccatcagcgggacccaggctatggatgag gctgactattactgtcaggcgtgggacagcagcactgtggt attcggtggagggaccaagctgaccgtcctag ZKA35 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 127 GGSISTGGYY CDRH2 128 IYYSGNT CDRH3 129 AKGGGRERPFDY CDRL1 130 SSNIGRNY CDRL2 131 RNN CDRL2 132 LIYRNNQRP long CDRL3 133 VAWDDSRSGFVV VH 134 QVQLQESGPGLVKPSQTLSLTCTVSGGSISTGGYYWSWIRQ HPGKGLEWIGYIYYSGNTYYNPSLKSRVTISVDTSKKQFSL KLSSVTAADTAVYYCAKGGGRERPFDYWGQGTLVTVSS VL 135 QSVLTQPPSASGTPGQRVTISCSGSSSNIGRNYVDWYQQLP GTAPKLLIYRNNQRPSGVPERFSGSKSGTSASLAISGLRSE DEADYYCVAWDDSRSGFVVFGGGTKVTVL ZKA35 SEQIDNO. Nucleicacidsequence CDRH1 136 ggtggctccatcagcactggtggttactac CDRH2 137 atctattacagtgggaacacc CDRH3 138 gcgaaaggaggagggagggagcgaccctttgactac CDRL1 139 agctccaacatcggaagaaattat CDRL2 140 aggaataat CDRL2 141 ctcatctataggaataatcagcggccc long CDRL3 142 gtagcatgggatgacagccggagtggttttgtggta VH 143 caggtgcagctgcaggagtcgggcccaggactggtgaagcc ttcacagaccctgtccctcacctgcactgtctctggtggct ccatcagcactggtggttactactggagctggatccgccag cacccagggaagggcctggagtggattggttacatctatta cagtgggaacacctactacaacccgtccctcaagagtcgag ttaccatatcagttgacacctctaagaagcagttctccctg aagctgagctctgtgactgccgcggacacggccgtgtatta ctgtgcgaaaggaggagggagggagcgaccctttgactact ggggccagggaaccctggtcaccgtctcctcag VL 144 cagtctgtgctgactcagccaccctcagcgtctgggacccc cgggcagagggtcaccatctcttgttctggaagcagctcca acatcggaagaaattatgtagactggtaccagcaactccca ggaacggcccccaaactcctcatctataggaataatcagcg gccctcaggggtccctgagcgattctctggctccaagtctg gcacctcagcctccctggccatcagtgggctccggtccgag gatgaggctgattattactgtgtagcatgggatgacagccg gagtggttttgtggtattcggcggagggaccaaggtgaccg tcctag SEQID Constantregions NO. Sequence IgG1CH1-CH2- 145 ASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVS CH3aa WNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQT YICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLG GPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFN WYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDW LNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPS REEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKT TPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEAL HNHYTQKSLSLSPGK IgG1CH1-CH2- 146 ASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVS CH3LALAaa WNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQT YICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPEAAG GPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFN WYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDW LNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPS RDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKT TPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEAL HNHYTQKSLSLSPGK IgGCKaa 147 RTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQ WKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADY EKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC IgGCLaa 148 GQPKAAPSVTLFPPSSEELQANKATLYCLISDFYPGAVTVA WKADSSPVKAGVETTTPSKQSNNKYAASSYLSLTPEQWK SHRSYSCQVTHEGSTVEKTVAPTECS IgG1CH1-CH2- 149 gcgtcgaccaagggcccatcggtcttccccctggcaccctcctccaagagcac CH3nucl ctctgggggcacagcggccctgggctgcctggtcaaggactacttccccgaac ctgtgacggtctcgtggaactcaggcgccctgaccagcggcgtgcacaccttcc cggctgtcctacagtcctcaggactctactccctcagcagcgtggtgaccgtgc cctccagcagcttgggcacccagacctacatctgcaacgtgaatcacaagccc agcaacaccaaggtggacaagagagttgagcccaaatcttgtgacaaaactca cacatgcccaccgtgcccagcacctgaactcctggggggaccgtcagtcttcct cttccccccaaaacccaaggacaccctcatgatctcccggacccctgaggtca catgcgtggtggtggacgtgagccacgaAgaCcctgaggtcaagttcaactgg tacgtggacggcgtggaggtgcataatgccaagacaaagccgcgggaggagc agtacaacagcacgtaccgtgtggtcagcgtcctcaccgtcctgcaccaggact ggctgaatggcaaggagtacaagtgcaaggtctccaacaaagccctcccagc ccccatcgagaaaaccatctccaaagccaaagggcagccccgagaaccac aggtgtacaccctgcccccatcccgggaggagatgaccaagaaccaggtcag cctgacctgcctggtcaaaggcttctatcccagcgacatcgccgtggagtggga gagcaatgggcagccggagaacaactacaagaccacgcctcccgtgctgga ctccgacggctccttcttcctctatagcaagctcaccgtggacaagagcaggtg gcagcaggggaacgtcttctcatgctccgtgatgcatgaggctctgcacaacca ctacacgcagaagagcctctccctgtccccgggtaaa IgG1CH1-CH2- 150 gcgtcgaccaagggcccatcggtcttccccctggcaccctcctccaagagcac CH3LALAnucl ctctgggggcacagcggccctgggctgcctggtcaaggactacttccccgaac ctgtgacggtctcgtggaactcaggcgccctgaccagcggcgtgcacaccttcc cggctgtcctacagtcctcaggactctactccctcagcagcgtggtgaccgtgc cctccagcagcttgggcacccagacctacatctgcaacgtgaatcacaagccc agcaacaccaaggtggacaagagagttgagcccaaatcttgtgacaaaactca cacatgcccaccgtgcccagcacctgaaGCCGCGgggggaccgtcagtc ttcctcttccccccaaaacccaaggacaccctcatgatctcccggacccctgag gtcacatgcgtggtggtggacgtgagccacgaagaccctgaggtcaagttcaac tggtacgtggacggcgtggaggtgcataatgccaagacaaagccgcgggagg agcagtacaacagcacgtaccgtgtggtcagcgtcctcaccgtcctgcaccag gactggctgaatggcaaggagtacaagtgcaaggtctccaacaaagccctccc agcccccatcgagaaaaccatctccaaagccaaagggcagccccgagaac cacaggtgtacaccctgcccccatcccgggaggagatgaccaagaaccaggt cagcctgacctgcctggtcaaaggcactatcccagcgacatcgccgtggagtg ggagagcaatgggcagccggagaacaactacaagaccacgcctcccgtgct ggactccgacggctccttcttcctctatagcaagctcaccgtggacaagagcag gtggcagcaggggaacgtcttctcatgctccgtgatgcatgaggctctgcacaa ccactacacgcagaagagcctctccctgtccccgggtaaa IgGCKnucl 151 cgTacGgtggctgcaccatctgtcttcatcttcccgccatctgatgagcagttga aatctggaactgcctctgttgtgtgcctgctgaataacttctatcccagagaggcc aaagtacagtggaaggtggataacgccctccaatcgggtaactcccaggagag tgtcacagagcaggacagcaaggacagcacctacagcctcagcagcaccct gacgctgagcaaagcagactacgagaaacacaaagtctacgcctgcgaagtc acccatcagggcctgagctcgcccgtcacaaagagcttcaacaggggagagt gt IgGCLnucl 152 ggtcagcccaaggctgccccctcggtcactctgttcccgccctcctctgaggag cttcaagccaacaaggccacactggtgtgtctcataagtgacttctacccggga gccgtgacagtggcttggaaagcagatagcagccccgtcaaggcgggagtgg agaccaccacaccctccaaacaaagcaacaacaagtacgcggccagcagc tatctgagcctgacgcctgagcagtggaagtcccacagaagctacagctgcca ggtcacgcatgaagggagcaccgtggagaagacagtggcccctacagaatgtt ca ZKA10 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 153 GFTFSDSY CDRH2 154 ISSSSPFT CDRH3 155 ARGLVRDGYKWLYFFDY VH 156 QVQLVESGGGLVEPRGSLRLSCAASGFTFSDSYMSWIRQAP GKGLEWISYISSSSPFTNYADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNSLYLQ MNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGLVRDGYKWLYFFDYWGQGTLVTVS S ZKA18 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 157 GFTFSSYG CDRH2 158 IWYDGSNK CDRH3 159 ARDDSGYSEPFDY VH 160 QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYGMHWVRQAP GKGLEWVAVIWYDGSNKYYADSVKGRFTITRDNSKNTLYLQ MNSLRPEDTAVYYCARDDSGYSEPFDYWGQGTLVTVSS ZKA28 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 161 GFTVSRNY CDRH2 162 IYSGGST CDRH3 163 ARWINDAFDI VH 164 EVQLVESGGGLIQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSRNYMSWVRQAP GKGLEWVSVIYSGGSTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQM NSLRAEDTAVYYCARWINDAFDIWGQGTMVTVSS ZKA29 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 165 GFTFSRYS CDRH2 166 ISPRSTTI CDRH3 167 AREDCTNGVCYRVDY VH 168 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCVVSGFTFSRYSMNWVRQAP GKGLEWVSYISPRSTTIYYADSVEGRFTVSRDNAKNSLYLQ LNSLRAEDTAVYYCAREDCTNGVCYRVDYWGQGTLVTVSS ZKA33 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 169 GFTFSRNW CDRH2 170 IKEDGNEK CDRH3 171 ARPFHQGGYAYGLAY VH 172 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSRNWMTWVRQAP GKGLEWVANIKEDGNEKYYVDSVKGRFTISRDNAKNSLYLQ MNSLRAEDTAVYYCARPFHQGGYAYGLAYWGQGTLVTVSS ZKA39 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 173 GFTFSTYS CDRH2 174 ISPSSSTI CDRH3 175 AREYCSGGSCYLLDY VH 176 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSTYSMNWVRQAP GKGLEWVSYISPSSSTIYYPDSLKGRFTISRDNAKNSLYLQ MDSLRAEDTAQYYCAREYCSGGSCYLLDYWGQGTLVTVSS ZKA43 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 177 GGSITSYY CDRH2 178 SHYSGST CDRH3 179 ARGIYSGKNWFDP VH 180 QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVYGGSITSYYWTWIRQPP GKGLEWIGYSHYSGSTNYNPSLKSRVTISIDTSKSQFSLNL NSVTAADTAVYYCARGIYSGKNWFDPWGQGTLVTVSS ZKA44 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 181 GFTVSTSY CDRH2 182 IYSSGST CDRH3 183 ARVSLGGLDP VH 184 EVQLVESGGGLIQPGGSLRLSCVASGFTVSTSYMNWVRQAP GKGLEWVSVIYSSGSTYYADSVKGRFTISRNTSKNTLYLQM NSLRAEDTAVYYCARVSLGGLDPWGQGTPVTVSS ZKA46 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 185 GFSLSNGRMG CDRH2 186 IFSNDEK CDRH3 187 ARVEFRAGNYLDS VH 188 QVTLKESGPVLVKPTETLTLTCTVSGFSLSNGRMGVSWIRQ PPGKALEWLAHIFSNDEKYYSTSLKNRLTISKDTSKSQVVL TMTNMDPVDTATYYCARVEFRAGNYLDSWGQGTLVTVSS ZKA50 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 189 GYTFTNSW CDRH2 190 IYPGDSDT CDRH3 191 ARQPFFDY VH 192 EVQLVQSGAQVKKPGESLKISCKASGYTFTNSWIGWVRQMP GKGLEWMGIIYPGDSDTRYSPSFQGQVTISADKSISTAYLQ WSSLKASDTAMYYCARQPFFDYWGQGTLVTVSS ZKA54 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 193 GYTFTGYY CDRH2 194 INANSGGT CDRH3 195 AHSDIVVVPSDDYYALDV VH 196 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKTSGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAP GQGLEWMGWINANSGGTNFAQRFQGRVTMTWDTSISTAYME LSRLRSDDTAVYYCAHSDIVVVPSDDYYALDVWGQGTTVTV SS ZKB18 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 197 GYSFTSYW CDRH2 198 IYPGDSDT CDRH3 199 ARQTPGDY VH 200 EVQLVQSGAEVKKPGESLKISCKTFGYSFTSYWIGWVRQMP GKGLEWMGMIYPGDSDTRYSPSFQGQVTISADMSISTAYLQ WSSLKASDTAMYYCARQTPGDYWGQGTLVTVSS ZKB20 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 201 GYFFTRYV CDRH2 202 INTDNGST CDRH3 203 ARGTGRDGYNSFFAN VH 204 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVRVSCKASGYFFTRYVILWVRQAP GQRPEWMGWINTDNGSTRYSQKFQGRVTITKDTSATTAYMD LSSLKSDDTAVYYCARGTGRDGYNSFFANWGQGTLVTVSP ZKB21 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 205 GYTFTGYS CDRH2 206 IDTNSGDT CDRH3 207 ARDRERHPFSY VH 208 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYSIHWVRQAP GQGLAWMGRIDTNSGDTNYAERFQGRVTMTRDTSISTAYME VRRLRSDDTAVYYCARDRERHPFSYWGQGTLVTVSS ZKB23 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 209 GGSISSGDYS CDRH2 210 ITHSGTT CDRH3 211 ARHFGWFDP VH 212 QLQLQESGSGLVKPSQTLSLTCAVSGGSISSGDYSWSWIRQ PPGKGLEWIGYITHSGTTYFNPSLKSRVTISVDRSRNQFSL KVTSVTAADTAVYYCARHFGWFDPWGQGTLVTVSS ZKC29 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 213 GGSISSGEYF CDRH2 214 IHNRGNT CDRH3 215 ARGGGDLVVVPDSIWDYYGMDV VH 216 QVQLQESGPGLVRPSQTLSLTCTVSGGSISSGEYFWTWIRQ HPKKGLEWIGYIHNRGNTYYNPSLKSRLSISLDTSKNHLSL RLSSVTAADTAVYYCARGGGDLVVVPDSIWDYYGMDVWGQG TTVTVSS ZKC31 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 217 GGSISSGGYH CDRH2 218 IYYSGST CDRH3 219 ARDRSEPGEYHYYYYAMDV VH 220 QVQLQESGPGLVKPSQTLSLTCTVSGGSISSGGYHWSWIRQ HPGKGLEWIGYIYYSGSTYYNPSLKRRVTISVDTSKNQFSL KLSSVSAADTAVYYCARDRSEPGEYHYYYYAMDVWGQGTTV TVSS ZKC32 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 221 GFTVSSNY CDRH2 222 IYSSGST CDRH3 223 ARGKKGNAFDI VH 224 EVQLVESGGDLIQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSSNYMSWVRQAP GKGLEWVSVIYSSGSTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQM NSLRAGDTAVYYCARGKKGNAFDIWGQGTVVTVSS ZKC33 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 225 GDSISSRTFS CDRH2 226 IYYSGST CDRH3 227 ARRNAEFFSFWSYYGMDV VH 228 QVQLQESGPGLVKPSQTLSLTCTVSGDSISSRTFSWSWIRQ PPGKGLEWVGHIYYSGSTDYNPSLKSRISISIDTSKNQFSL KLSSVTAADTAVYYCARRNAEFFSFWSYYGMDVWGHGTAVI VSS ZKC34 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 229 GGSINSGGYY CDRH2 230 ILHSGNT CDRH3 231 ARAGDYYSGYVPPEY VH 232 QVQLQESGPGLVKPSQTLSLTCAVSGGSINSGGYYWSWVRQ HPGKGLEWIGYILHSGNTNYNPSLKSRVNIFVDTSENQFSL KLRSVTAADTAIYFCARAGDYYSGYVPPEYWGPGTLVTVSS ZKD25 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 233 GFTVSSNY CDRH2 234 IYSGGST CDRH3 235 ARFGGNPSFDY VH 236 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTVSSNYMSWVRQAP GKGLEWVSVIYSGGSTYYANSVKGRFTISRDKSKNTLYLQM NNLRAEDTAVYFCARFGGNPSFDYWGQGTLVTVSS ZKA3 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 237 GFIFSNYA CDRH2 238 IGGKGDSI CDRH3 239 VKDLAVLESDRLEVDQ VH 240 EVQLAESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCSGSGFIFSNYAMVWARQAP GKGLEYVSGIGGKGDSIYHIDSVKGRFTISRDNSKRTVYLQ MSRLRTEDTAVYYCVKDLAVLESDRLEVDQWGQGTLVIVSA ZKA4 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 241 GFTFSSYV CDRH2 242 TSYDGSNK CDRH3 243 ARGPVPYWSGESYSGAYFDF VH 244 QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYVMHWVRQAP GKGLEWVTVTSYDGSNKYYADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLYLQ MNSLRGEDTAIYYCARGPVPYWSGESYSGAYFDFWGQGILV TVSS ZKA5 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 245 GFTFSNYY CDRH2 246 MSSSETIK CDRH3 247 ARSGIETVAGSIDYYGMDV VH 248 QVQLVESGGGLVKPGGSLRLSCAGSGFTFSNYYMTWIRQAP GKGLELVSYMSSSETIKYYADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNSLYLQ MNSLRADDTARYYCARSGIETVAGSIDYYGMDVWGHGTPVT VSS ZKA6 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 249 DFTVSNYA CDRH2 250 VSYDGSNK CDRH3 251 ATGVTMFQGAQTNAEYLHY VH 252 QVHLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCEASDFTVSNYAMHWVRQAP GKGLEWVAVVSYDGSNKYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQ MNSLRAEDTALYYCATGVTMFQGAQTNAEYLHYWGQGSLVT ISS ZKA7 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 253 GFTFSRYG CDRH2 254 VSGDGSST CDRH3 255 VKDFWSGDQSLESDF VH 256 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCSASGFTFSRYGMVWARQAP GKGLEYLSGVSGDGSSTYYANSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLH MSRLRDEDTAMYYCVKDFWSGDQSLESDFWGQGALVTVSS ZKA8 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 257 GFTFSAHA CDRH2 258 ISRNEDYT CDRH3 259 VKDFGTSPQTDF VH 260 DERLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLVCSASGFTFSAHAMHWVRQPP GKGLEYVSTISRNEDYTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNSLYLQ MRRLRPEDTAIYYCVKDFGTSPQTDFWGQGTLVAVSS ZKA76 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 261 GFTFSTYF CDRH2 262 ISSTGSYK CDRH3 263 ARPFHSEYTYGLDAFDI VH 264 EVQLVESGGGLVKPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSTYFMHWVRQAP GKGLEWVASISSTGSYKFYADSVKGRFTISRDNTKNSLFLQ MNSLRAEDTAVFYCARPFHSEYTYGLDAFDIWGQGTMLTVS S ZKA117 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 265 GGSIRRTNSY CDRH2 266 ISYSGST CDRH3 267 ARLNDGSTVTTSSYFDY VH 268 QLQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGGSIRRTNSYWGWIRQ TTGKGLQWIGSISYSGSTFYNPSLKSRVTISLDTSKDHFSL ELSSVTAADTAIYYCARLNDGSTVTTSSYFDYWGQGTLVTV SS ZKB27 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 269 GYSFTSSW CDRH2 270 IDPSDSYT CDRH3 271 ARHDYSVSENGMDV VH 272 EVQLVQSGAEVKKPGESLRISCKASGYSFTSSWINWVRQMP GKGLEWMGRIDPSDSYTTYNPSFQGHVTISVDKSIGTAYLQ WNSLRASDTAMYYCARHDYSVSENGMDVWGQGTTVTVSS ZKB29 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 273 GFTFSSYT CDRH2 274 ISYDGSHK CDRH3 275 ARRSYSISCFDY VH 276 QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYTMHWVRQAP GKGLEWVAVISYDGSHKFYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKDTLYLQ MNSLRAEDTALYYCARRSYSISCFDYWGQGTLVTISS ZKB34 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 277 GFTFSRSG CDRH2 278 VSYDGSNK CDRH3 279 AKDLTMVRGVHYYYYVMDV VH 280 QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSRSGMHWVRQAP GKGLEWVAVVSYDGSNKYYSDSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQ MNSLRVEDTAVYYCAKDLTMVRGVHYYYYVMDVWGQGTTVT VSS ZKB39 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 281 GYTFDDYY CDRH2 282 INPHRGGT CDRH3 283 VRDQYCDGGNCYGIHQPHYGMDV VH 284 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASLKVSCKASGYTFDDYYIHWVRQAP GQGLEWLGRINPHRGGTNYAQKFQGRVIMTLDMSISTTYME LRRITSDDAAVYYCVRDQYCDGGNCYGIHQPHYGMDVWGQG TTVTVSS ZKB46 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 285 GYSFTSYW CDRH2 286 IDPSDSYT CDRH3 287 ARREYSSSSGQEDWFDP VH 288 EVQLVQSGAEVKKPGESLRISCKGSGYSFTSYWISWVRQMP GKGLEWMGRIDPSDSYTNYSPSFQGHVTISADKSISTAYLQ WSSLKASDTAMYYCARREYSSSSGQEDWFDPWGQGTLVTVS S ZKB53 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 289 GFTFSSYA CDRH2 290 ISYDGSNR CDRH3 291 ARHVEQLPSSGYFQH VH 292 QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMHWVRQTP GKGLEWVTVISYDGSNRYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQ MNSLRSEDTAVYYCARHVEQLPSSGYFQHWGQGTLVTVSS ZKC26 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 293 GFIFSDFY CDRH2 294 IGHDGSYI CDRH3 295 ARAHGGFRH VH 296 QVQVVESGGGLVKPGGSLRLSCAASGFIFSDFYMSWMRQAP GKGLEWVAYIGHDGSYILYADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNSLFLR MNSLRVEDTAVYYCARAHGGFRHWGQGTVVAVSP ZKD5 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 297 GFTFTSYG CDRH2 298 ISYDGSNK CDRH3 299 ARDRDHYDLWNAYTFDY VH 300 QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFTSYGMHWVRQTP GKGLDWVAVISYDGSNKYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKDTLYLQ MNSLRAADTALYYCARDRDHYDLWNAYTFDYWGQGTLVTVS S ZKD7 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 301 GFTFSNYA CDRH2 302 ISYDVSDK CDRH3 303 AGGPLGVVVIKPSNAEHFHH VH 304 QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSNYAMHWVRQAP GKGLEWVAVISYDVSDKYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLFLQ MNSLRAEDTAAYYCAGGPLGVVVIKPSNAEHFHHWGQGTLV TVSS ZKD8 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 305 GFTFINYA CDRH2 306 ISYDGSNK CDRH3 307 ATDADAYGDSGANFHY VH 308 QVQLVESGGGVVQPGKSLRLSCAASGFTFINYAIHWVRQAP GKGLEWVAVISYDGSNKFYTDSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQ MNSLRADDTAVYYCATDADAYGDSGANFHYWGQGTLVTVSS ZKD15 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 309 DASISSGGFS CDRH2 310 IYSSGDT CDRH3 311 ARAHTPTSKFYYYYAMDV VH 312 QLQLQESGSGLVKPSQTLSLTCTVSDASISSGGFSWSWIRQ PLGKGLEWLGYIYSSGDTFYNPSLQGRVTMSVDIFRSQFSL KLTSVTAADTAMYYCARAHTPTSKFYYYYAMDVWGQGTTVT VSS ZKD16 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 313 GFTFSDHF CDRH2 314 SRNKPNSYTT CDRH3 315 AKVGGCYGGDCHVENDY VH 316 EVQLVESGGDLVQPGGSLRLSCVASGFTFSDHFMDWVRQAP GKGLEWVGRSRNKPNSYTTEYAASVKGRFSISRDDSKKALY LQMNSLQTEDTAVYYCAKVGGCYGGDCHVENDYWGQGTLVT VSS ZKD17 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 317 GFIFSDYA CDRH2 318 ISYDGSSR CDRH3 319 ARGYCSSGTCFSTNAEYFHP VH 320 QVQMVESGGGVVQPGTSLRLSCATSGFIFSDYAMHWVRQAP GKGLEWVAVISYDGSSRLYADSVKGRFTVSRDNSKNTLYLQ MHSLRAGDTAVYYCARGYCSSGTCFSTNAEYFHPWGQGTLA TISS ZKD20 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 321 GFTFSDHF CDRH2 322 SRNKPNSYTT CDRH3 323 ARVGGCNGGDCHVENDY VH 324 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCVASGFTFSDHFMDWVRQAP GKGLEWVGRSRNKPNSYTTEYAASVKGRFTISRDDSKNSLY LQMNSLQTEDTAVYYCARVGGCNGGDCHVENDYWGQGTLVT VSS ZKA134 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 325 GGTFSAYA CDRH2 326 IIPFFGTA CDRH3 327 ARSDIVSTTRGYHHYGMDV VH 328 QVHLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVNVSCKASGGTFSAYAISWVRQAP GQGLEWMGGIIPFFGTAYYAQKFKGRVTVTADKSTSTVYME MTSLRSEDTAVYYCARSDIVSTTRGYHHYGMDVWGQGTTVT VSS ZKA246 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 329 GYTFSDYY CDRH2 330 INPYSGGT CDRH3 331 ARGFTMISDREFDP VH 332 QVQLVQSGAEVKRPGASVKVSCKASGYTFSDYYMHWVRQAP GQGLEWMGRINPYSGGTNYAQKFHGRVTVTRDTSISTVYME LRGLRSDDTAVYYCARGFTMISDREFDPWGQGTLVTVSS ZKA256 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 333 GFTFSTYW CDRH2 334 IKQDGSEK CDRH3 335 ARDPGYDDFWSGSYSGSFDI VH 336 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSTYWMTWVRQAP GKGLEWVANIKQDGSEKYYVDSVKGRFTISRDNTKNSLYLQ VNSLRAEDTAIYYCARDPGYDDEVSGSYSGSFDIWGQGTMV TVSS ZKB42 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 337 GFTFNNYG CDRH2 338 ISYDGNKK CDRH3 339 VKYGERINGYSDPFDH VH 340 QVQVVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLFCAASGFTFNNYGMHWVRQAP GKGLEWVALISYDGNKKYYADSVKGRFSISRDNSKNTLYLQ MNRLRSGDTAVYHCVKYGERINGYSDPFDHWGQGTLVTVSS ZKB85 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 341 GYTFTTYA CDRH2 342 INTNTGNP CDRH3 343 ARVIVPYAFDI VH 344 QVQLVQSGSELKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTTYAMNWVRQAP GQGPEWVGWINTNTGNPTYAQGFTGRFVLSLDTSVSTAFLQ ISSLKAEDTAVYYCARVIVPYAFDIWGQGTMVTVSS ZKB47 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 345 GYTFTNYY CDRH2 346 INPSGGPT CDRH3 347 ARDQYGGYARYGMDV VH 348 QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCQASGYTFTNYYMHWVRQAP GQGLEWMGIINPSGGPTSYAQKFQGRVTMTTDTSTSTVYME LSSLRSEDTAVYYCARDQYGGYARYGMDVWGQGTTVTVSS ZKC6 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 349 GYTFTGYY CDRH2 350 INPNSGGT CDRH3 351 ARVSDWGFAFDI VH 352 QVQLVQSGTEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTGYYMHWVRQAP GQGLEWMGRINPNSGGTNYAQKFQGRVTMTRDTSISTAYME LSGLRSDDTAVYYCARVSDWGFAFDIWGQGTMVTVSQ ZKA160 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 353 GGSITSYS CDRH2 354 IFYSGST CDRH3 355 ARDQTMPVWVGGMDV VH 356 QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGGSITSYSWSWIRQPP GKGLEWIGYIFYSGSTDYNPSLKSRVTISVDTSKDQFSLRL RSVTAADTAVYYCARDQTMPVWVGGMDVWGQGTTVTVSS ZKA172 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 357 GYIFTRYW CDRH2 358 IDPSDSYT CDRH3 359 ARQETAREDGMAV VH 360 EVQLVQSGAEVKKPGKSLRISCKGSGYIFTRYWISWVRQMP GKGLEWMGRIDPSDSYTNYSPSFQGHVTISADKSISTAYLQ WSSLKASDTAMYYCARQETAREDGMAVWGQGTTVTVSS ZKA174 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 361 GGSMSNSYYH CDRH2 362 IYYSGST CDRH3 363 ARNPVFNPLTLTHDAFDI VH 364 QLQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGGSMSNSYYHWGWIRQ PPGKGLEWIGSIYYSGSTYYNPSLKSRVTISVDTSKNQFSL KLNSVTAADTAVYYCARNPVFNPLTLTHDAFDIWGQGTMVT VSS ZKA189 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 365 GFTFSSYA CDRH2 366 ISGSGDNT CDRH3 367 AKWPYYDFWSGSESYFDP VH 368 GVQLLESGGALVQPGKSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYALTWVRQAP GKGLQWVSAISGSGDNTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQ MNSLRAEDTAVYYCAKWPYYDFWSGSESYFDPWGQGTLVTV SS ZKA195 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 369 GYNFPSYW CDRH2 370 IDPSDSYT CDRH3 371 ARADCRSTSCYLVFE VH 372 EVQLVQSGAEVKKPGESLRISCKDSGYNFPSYWIHWVRQMP GKGLEWMGTIDPSDSYTNYSPSFQGHVTISADKSISTAYLQ WSSLKASDTAMYYCARADCRSTSCYLVFEGQGTLVTVSS ZKA215 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 373 GYTFTSYW CDRH2 374 IDPSDSHT CDRH3 375 ARHALPNYFDS VH 376 EVQLVQSGAEVKKPGESLRISCKGSGYTFTSYWISWVRQMP GKGLEWMGRIDPSDSHTDYSPSFQGHVTISADKSISAAYLQ WSSLKASDTAMYYCARHALPNYFDSWGQGTLVTVSS ZKA218 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 377 GFPFSSYW CDRH2 378 INSDGRNT CDRH3 379 ARGGYDYDSSGCFDY VH 380 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFPFSSYWMHWVKAP GKGLVWVSRINSDGRNTNYADSVKGRFTISRDNAENTVYLQ MNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGGYDYDSSGCFDYWGQGTLVTVSS ZKB75 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 381 GFTFSNYA CDRH2 382 ISGTGGST CDRH3 383 AKDSASRGGYCSGGVCYLNPGHHDY VH 384 EVQVLESGGGLLQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSNYAMSWVRQAP GKGLEWVSTISGTGGSTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQ MNSLRAEDTAVYYCAKDSASRGGYCSGGVCYLNPGHHDYWG QGTLVTVSS ZKB83 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 385 GYSFTNYW CDRH2 386 IDPSDSYT CDRH3 387 ARLRGSLYCSGGRCYSVPGETPNWFDP VH 388 EVQLVQSGAEVKKPGESLRISCKGSGYSFTNYWITWVRQMP GKGLEWMGSIDPSDSYTNYSPSFQGHVTISADWSINTAYLQ WSSLKASDTAKYYCARLRGSLYCSGGRCYSVPGETPNWFDP WGQGTLVTVSS ZKC3 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 389 GGSITSYY CDRH2 390 IYYSGST CDRH3 391 ARVGGAPYYYYGMDV VH 392 QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGGSITSYYWSWIRQPP GKGLEWIGYIYYSGSTNYNPSLKSRVTISVDTSKNQFSLKL SSVTAADTAVYYCARVGGAPYYYYGMDVWGQGTTVTVSS ZKC18 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 393 GFTFGDYA CDRH2 394 IRSKAYGGTT CDRH3 395 SRDHTGTTYAFDI VH 396 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGRSLRLSCTASGFTFGDYAMSWFRQAP GKGLEWVGFIRSKAYGGTTEYAASVKGRFTISRDDSKSIAY LQMNSLKTEDTAVYYCSRDHTGTTYAFDIWGQGTMVTVSQ ZKD1 SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence CDRH1 397 GFTFSSYG CDRH2 398 IWYDGSNK CDRH3 399 ARDRRGYGDYVGYYYGMDV VH 400 QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYGMHWVRQAP GKGLEWVAVIWYDGSNKYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQ MNSLRAEDTAVYYCARDRRGYGDYVGYYYGMDVWGQGTTVT VSS Name SEQIDNO. Aminoacidsequence ZIKVEDIII 401 TAAFTFTKXPAEXXHGTVTVEXQYXGXDGPCKXPXQMAVDX generic QTLTPVGRLITANPVITEXTENSKMMLELDPPFGDSYIVIGXGX KKITHHWHRS ZIKV 402 TAAFTFTKIPAETLHGTVTVEVQYAGTDGPCKVPAQMAVDM H/PF/2013 QTLTPVGRLITANPVITESTENSKMMLELDPPFGDSYIVIGVGEK EDIII KITHHWHRS ZIKV-NS1 403 TGGAGTTCAACTGACGGTCG forward primer ZIKV-NS1- 404 TACCCCGAACCCATGATCCT reverse primer Gapdh- 405 GGCAAGTTCAAAGGCACAGTC forward primer Gapdh- 406 CACCAGCATCACCCCATTT reverse primer ZIKVEDIII 407 X.sub.1GX.sub.2X.sub.3YSLCTAAFTFTKX.sub.4PAEX.sub.5X.sub.6HGTVTVEX.sub.7QYX.sub.8GX.sub.9DGP generic CKX.sub.10PX.sub.11QMAVDX.sub.12QTLTPVGRLITANPVITEX.sub.13TX.sub.14NSKMM LELDPPFGDSYIVIGX.sub.15GX.sub.16X.sub.17KITHHWHRSG wherein X.sub.1maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyK, A,orE; X.sub.2maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyV, F,orL; X.sub.3maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyS orF; X.sub.4maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyIor V; X.sub.5maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyT orV; X.sub.6maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyL orD; X.sub.7maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyV orG; X.sub.8maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyA orG; X.sub.9maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacidexceptR, preferablyTorA; X.sub.10maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyV orI; X.sub.11maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyA orV; X.sub.12maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyM orT; X.sub.13maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyS orG; X.sub.14maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyE orK; X.sub.15maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyV orI; X.sub.16maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyE, A,K,orD;and X.sub.17maybeany(naturallyoccurring)aminoacid,preferablyE, A,orK,morepreferablyKorA * the sequences highlighted in bold are CDR regions (nucleotide or aa) and the underlined residues are mutated residues as ccmpared to the germline sequence.