Therapeutic antibodies for treatment of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome

Project Summary Rodent borne viral outbreaks are increasing in both frequency and impactAs weather patterns evolverodent populations are affected and may multiply in areas where increased contact with humans results in infectionHantavirusesincluding AndesANDVand Sin NombreSNVare transmitted through the excreta of infected rodents andwhen aerosolizedinfect humansIn the Americashantavirus infection leads to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndromeHCPSa devastating condition that features rapid onset of pulmonary edemarespiratory failure and cardiogenic shockTreatment is supportivenot pathogen targetedand accordinglyapproximatelyof patients do not surviveBecause hantaviruses establish lifelongasymptomatic infections in their rodent reservoirsthey are highly prevalent in nature and represent a constant threat to humansFor exampleSNV is carried by the most abundant mammal in North Americathe deer mousewhich has a near ubiquitous distribution throughout the US and CanadaIn the case of the South American ANDVin addition to rodent to human transmissionhuman to human transmission occursputting not only the patientbut also family members and health care workers at riskDespite this large potential for infection and the high case fatality ratethere are no FDA approved treatment options or vaccines availableHantaviruses are thus classified as NIAID Priority Pathogens and considered potential bioterrorism threatsOur long term goal is to develop an effective therapeutic against HCPS causing hantavirusesThis proposal seeks to develop human neutralizing antibodies for therapeutic and or prophylactic treatment of HCPS caused by ANDVWe have assembled a multidisciplinary team of molecular virologistscliniciansB cell immunologistsand industry partners with experience developing antibody based therapeuticsThe successful development of a potent neutralizing antibody against ANDV has the potential to be a first line antiviral for the treatment or prevention of HCPS