Discovery of potent cross-neutralizing antibodies against Marburg and Ravn viruses with therapeutic potential

  • Takeshi Saito
  • , Hiroko Miyamoto
  • , Manabu Igarashi
  • , Asuka Nanbo
  • , Risa Hayashi
  • , Ruchi Paroha
  • , Gavriella Siman-Tov
  • , Kirsten Littlefield
  • , Akina Mori-Kajihara
  • , Christine Click
  • , Wakako Furuyama
  • , Slobodan Paessler
  • , Junki Maruyama
  • , Ayato Takada

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV) are highly pathogenic filoviruses that cause Marburg virus disease (MVD), for which no approved treatment currently exists. In this study, we describe a panel of 10 novel mouse-derived monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), all exhibiting neutralizing activity against MARV. Notably, five of these mAbs also cross-neutralize RAVV. Based on amino acid sequences, neutralization profiles, and escape mutations in the MARV glycoprotein (GP), the mAbs were classified into three groups. mAbs targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and mucin-like domain exhibited MARV-specific neutralization, whereas those targeting epitopes spanning the RBD and internal fusion loop exhibited cross-neutralization. Post-exposure administration of cross-neutralizing mAbs (AGP-R7, AGP-R12) provided significant protection in MARV and RAVV infection mouse models. These findings identify a conserved neutralizing epitope with therapeutic potential and highlight AGP-R7 and AGP-R12 as promising candidates for MVD treatment. This study offers new insights into cross-reactive antibody strategies against multiple filoviruses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number84
JournalNPJ Viruses
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2025

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Microbiology (miscellaneous)
  • Microbiology
  • Virology

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