Navigation Links
Computer models aid understanding of antibody-dependent enhancement in spread of dengue fever

Evolutionary trade-off exists between advantage and disadvantage

Some viruses' ability to exploit the human body's own defenses to increase their replication may be both a blessing and curse, according to the findings of a study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The process is known as antibody-dependent enhancement. Scientists believe antibody-dependent enhancement may allow the dengue virus to grow more rapidly in people who were previously infected and have partial but incomplete immunity to the virus. Enhanced virus replication triggers a more deadly, hemorrhagic form of the disease.

A study published in the online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that antibody-dependent enhancement offers an evolutionary trade-off between advantage and disadvantage for the dengue virus. The findings could one day lead to new strategies for developing and deploying vaccines.

Using computational models based on epidemic theory, the researchers examined the dynamic role antibody-dependent enhancement plays in the spread of dengue viruses. They concluded that when antibody-dependent enhancement triggered small increases in transmission it gave viruses an edge over other co-circulating dengue viruses that did not experience enhancement. Counter-intuitively, larger increases in transmission resulted in more extinctions of the enhanced virus.

"Dengue dynamics are similar to predator-prey systems in ecology. Antibody-dependent enhancement makes a virus a better predator. But there comes a point where the predator gets so good it runs out of prey," explained lead author Derek Cummings, a research associate in the Department of International Health at the Bloomberg School. "We found that antibody-dependent enhancement helps the dengue virus spread faster, but there are limits to how much the virus can exploit this strategy."

According to the computer simulations, anti
'"/>

Source:Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health


Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Computers to be used to find blueprint for new influenza drug
2. Large-scale Computer Simulations Reveal New Insights Into Antibiotic Resistance
3. Computers close in on protein structure prediction
4. Computer modeling reveals hidden conversations within cells
5. Computer-chemistry yields new insight into a puzzle of cell division
6. Computers to save unique type of American red squirrel
7. Computer simulation hints at new HIV drug target
8. Computer scientist sorts out confusable drug names
9. Computer-based games enhance mental function in patients with Alzheimers
10. Computer scientists unravel language of surgery
11. Computer with brain connections changing quality of life of paralyzed

Post Your Comments:
(Date:11/26/2009)...RSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ...ihilation as low-temperature plasma prototype devi... and unfailing bactericidal cocktails. , Two pro...ent disinfection of healthy skin (e.g. hands and f... can pose a lethal threat; and another to shoot ba...
(Date:11/25/2009)...thens, Ga. Bacteria don,t have easy lives. In add... bugs, they have natural enemies called bacterioph... every two days. , Still, bacteria and another ...overed in extreme environments such as deep-sea vo... because they have a built-in defense system that ...
(Date:11/25/2009)...ADISON, WI, NOVEMBER 25, 2009 Soil is the linchpi... and hydrosphere meet. Despite that, many students...but nothing more. Soil science educators are chall...blic recognize the critical importance of soil in ...oil science and earth science teachers at Universi...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Plasma produces KO cocktail for MRSA 2Plasma produces KO cocktail for MRSA 3Researchers discover biological basis of 'bacterial immune system' 2Researchers discover biological basis of 'bacterial immune system' 3It's not just dirt! 2Now butterflies are also being counted in China Australia and Israel 9574 1Now butterflies are also being counted in China Australia and Israel 9574 2Now butterflies are also being counted in China Australia and Israel 9574 3Now butterflies are also being counted in China Australia and Israel 9574 4International Robotic Surgery Forum Launches In Chicago 54545 1International Robotic Surgery Forum Launches In Chicago 54545 2International Robotic Surgery Forum Launches In Chicago 54545 3Biopelle Inc Acquires PRESCRIBEDsolutions 5BCUSTOMIZED SKINCARE 5D 28R 29 54541 1Biopelle Inc Acquires PRESCRIBEDsolutions 5BCUSTOMIZED SKINCARE 5D 28R 29 54541 2Biopelle Inc Acquires PRESCRIBEDsolutions 5BCUSTOMIZED SKINCARE 5D 28R 29 54541 3
...y of Pennsylvania researchers have uncovered an im...ses cooperating proteins found on its outer coat t...Further, the studys authors say, they have demonst...n interactions using biomolecular complementation....the National Academy of Sciences, provide a better...
...ong been a staple for people planning their day. N...re working to broaden daily forecasts to include p... reality in some parts of the world. , Some scien...e, global forecasts of air pollution near the grou...ears away. Such a system could prove useful in eff...
...tural climate variations, which tend to involve lo...ve a larger effect on hurricane activity than the ...in this week,s Nature suggests. , In the debate o... is generally assumed that warmer oceans provide a...ent and intensification. However, several other fa...
Other Biology News:Penn researchers shine the light of venus to learn how the herpes virus invades cells 2Air quality forecasts see future in space 2Air quality forecasts see future in space 3Climate's remote control on hurricanes 2
(Date:11/24/2009)... , , Primary efficacy endpoint has been me...t endometrial cancer, , QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 24 ...SDAQ: AEZS ; TSX: AEZ) (the "Company"), a global ...rapy and oncology, today announced positive effica...otoxic peptide conjugate, AEZS-108 (formerly AN-15...
(Date:11/24/2009)... , DUBLIN, November 24 /PRNewswire-FirstC... global specialty biopharmaceutical company, today...pean Medicines Agency for,velaglucerase alfa, the ...t,for the treatment of Type 1 Gaucher disease. Thi...rase alfa that has been submitted, with previous,s...
(Date:11/24/2009)... , REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 24 /PRNewswire... ) today announced that Randy Scott, Genomic Healt...nnual Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference in New ...m. ET. ,, To access the live and subsequently ...vestor Relations section of Genomic Health,s websi...
(Date:11/24/2009)... Program Connects Customers wi...es Collected with DNA Genotek Products , ...09 -- DNA Genotek , a leading provider of product...and preparation, today announced its new global pa...ncements for DNA Genotek,s partner community and i...
Breaking Biology Technology:AEterna Zentaris Announces Positive Results for Phase 2 Study with LHRH-Receptor Targeted Cytotoxic Conjugate AEZS-108 in Endometrial Cancer 2AEterna Zentaris Announces Positive Results for Phase 2 Study with LHRH-Receptor Targeted Cytotoxic Conjugate AEZS-108 in Endometrial Cancer 3AEterna Zentaris Announces Positive Results for Phase 2 Study with LHRH-Receptor Targeted Cytotoxic Conjugate AEZS-108 in Endometrial Cancer 4Shire Submits European Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for velaglucerase alfa for the Treatment of Type 1 Gaucher Disease 2Shire Submits European Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for velaglucerase alfa for the Treatment of Type 1 Gaucher Disease 3Shire Submits European Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for velaglucerase alfa for the Treatment of Type 1 Gaucher Disease 4Genomic Health to Present at Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference 2DNA Genotek Launches Global Partner Program 2DNA Genotek Launches Global Partner Program 3
... DuPont Applied BioSciences has turned to MB...ing the commercial viability of an important bio-b...n bridging the gap between research and commercial...sed technologies. MBI’s unique “Collab...ddresses technological uncertainties, which impede...
...ec. 2 GeneGo, Inc., the leading systems biology t...ome a certified GeneGo Center of Excellence. Burnh...o GeneGo,s MetaCore data analysis suite, training ...world-class biomedical research facility running m... departments, including research in cancer, stem c...
...ec. 2 Intradigm Corporation, a leading,developer ...apeutics, today,announced the issuance of United S...ositions for Controlling Efficacy of RNA Silencing...al research of Philip Zamore, Ph.D., the,Gretchen ...sor of Biochemistry,& Molecular Pharmacology a...
Other Biology Technology: DuPont Applied BioSciences Selects MBI to Collaborate on Process Development and Scale-Up for New Bio-based Product 2The Burnham Institute for Medical Research Becomes a GeneGo Center of Excellence Using MetaCore for Stem Cell Research and Neurology 2Intradigm Announces Issuance of Key Patent Related to Enhancing Efficacy and Potency of RNAi Therapeutics 2Intradigm Announces Issuance of Key Patent Related to Enhancing Efficacy and Potency of RNAi Therapeutics 3
Human HGF, Unconjugated from R&D Systems
Bovine PC-BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin), Unconjugated from Biosearch Technologies
Ral Immunoblot Assay Kit from Upstate
6-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)aminohexanoic acid, succinimidyl ester (DNP-X, SE) from Molecular Probes (Invitrogen)
Biology Products: