Cross protection against lethal West Nile virus challenge in mice immunized with recombinant E protein domain III of Japanese encephalitis virus

► Soluble JEV EDIII is successfully expressed, purified and functionally characterized. ► Immunization with JEV EDIII induces neutralizing antibodies against both JEV and WNV. ► JEV EDIII confers cross-protection against lethal WNV challenge in mice.