Work

Antibodies against chikungunya virus structural proteins reveal the presence of CHIKV virions in migrasomes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) is a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes, caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which has led to millions of infections globally. Antibodies against CHIKV serve as essential tools for research on this virus. In this study, we designed peptides corresponding to the E1, E2, E3, and capsid proteins of CHIKV to immunize New Zealand white rabbits, leading to the development of polyclonal antibodies. We characterized these antibodies through Western blot and immunofluorescence assays. Importantly, our findings using these antibodies revealed the localization of CHIKV structural proteins within migrasomes, thereby uncovering the presence of CHIKV virions in migrasomes, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antibodies generated in this study will provide a valuable resource for future investigations into CHIKV.

Source: Journal of Immunological Methods

DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2025.113867

Authors: Shengnan Wang, Xichi Tang, Junxiang Zhao, Haiyan Huang, Leiliang Zhang

Institutions: Shandong Provincial QianFoShan Hospital, Shandong First Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Mosquito-borne diseases and control

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,970