ApoA1 Neutralizes Proinflammatory Effects of Dengue Virus NS1 Protein and Modulates Viral Immune Evasion
Diego R. Coelho, Pedro Henrique Carneiro, Lucas Mendes-Monteiro, Jonas N. Conde, Iamara da Silva Andrade, Thu Cao, Diego Allonso, Michael White-Dibiasio, Richard Kühn, Ronaldo Mohana‐Borges
Abstract
DENV is one of the most relevant mosquito-transmitted viruses worldwide, infecting more than 390 million people every year and leading to more than 20 thousand deaths. Although a DENV vaccine has already been approved, its potential side effects have hampered its use in large-scale immunizations. Therefore, new treatment options are urgently needed to prevent disease worsening or to improve current clinical management of severe cases. In this study, we describe a new interaction of the NS1 protein, one of the major viral components, with a key component of HDL, ApoA1. This interaction seems to alter membrane susceptibility to virus infection and modulates the mechanisms triggered by DENV to evade the immune response. We also propose the use of a mimetic peptide named 4F, which was originally developed for atherosclerosis, as a potential therapy for relieving DENV symptoms.