Assistant Professor YaleIbio |ImmunoVirus❤️ | Alum @Virusesimmunity lab | #womeninSTEM
Carolina Lucas
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2/ From an mpox-convalescent individual, we isolated 3 human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (EV35-2, EV35-6, EV35-7) that target the extracellular virion protein A35, essential for viral spread.
Carolina Lucas
4/ Structural studies revealed all 3 mAbs target a highly conserved epitope in the A35 dimer groove, shared across orthopoxviruses. This explains their breadth and potency.
3/ These A35-specific mAbs:
• Block viral spread in vitro
• Protect mice from lethal mpox & vaccinia infection
• Function via viral spread block + Fc-dependent mechanisms
5/ Human cohort data showed that convalescent mpox patients naturally generate A35-targeting antibodies. Higher levels of these antibodies correlated with:
• Faster symptom resolution
• Shorter illness
• No hospitalizations
🦠 1/ The 2022 mpox outbreak underscored the urgent need for effective therapies. Existing antivirals (e.g., Tecovirimat) showed limited success in trials. We set out to identify new immune-based strategies.
7/ Together, our findings establish A35 as a critical therapeutic target for mpox and related orthopoxviruses, paving the way for next-generation antibody therapies and improved vaccines.
6/ Importantly, current smallpox/mpox vaccines (Dryvax, JYNNEOS) elicit low levels of antibodies against these protective A35 epitopes, underscoring a gap in current vaccine design.
8/ Truly an amazing team to work with. Brilliant science, (and laughs) all the way through 😂🧪”
Congrats agains to @raiannafantin.bsky.social (brilliant first author) and the @camilahcoelho.bsky.social !
🚨New Paper in Cell 🧵🔎
Happy to share our work led by the @camilahcoelho.bsky.social, on mAbs against mpox.
We were very excited (and lucky!) to contribute to this collab. effort.
🦠“Human monoclonal antibodies targeting A35 protect from death caused by mpox”🦠
doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2025.08.004
Carolina Lucas
Register for #HumanImmuno26: Genes & Environment!
🗓️ 13-15 May 2026
Join researchers in #immunology, genetics, functional genomics, and physiology to exchange knowledge and explore solutions to key gaps in understanding human immune diversity.
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