Structure-Based Design of a Fusion Glycoprotein Vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus

TLDR

Respiratory syncytial virus remains a childhood disease lacking an approved vaccine. Using a structure‑based approach, McLellan et al. designed over 150 fusion glycoprotein variants, assessed their antibody reactivity, solved crystal structures of stabilized variants, and measured their ability to elicit protective responses.

Abstract

Designer Vaccine Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the last remaining childhood diseases without an approved vaccine. Using a structure-based approach, McLellan et al. (p. 592 ) designed over 150 fusion glycoprotein variants, assessed their antibody reactivity, determined crystal structures of stabilized variants, and measured their ability to elicit protective responses. This approach yielded an immunogen that elicits higher protective responses than the postfusion form of the fusion glycoprotein, which is one of the current leading RSV vaccine candidates entering clinical trials. Importantly, highly protective responses were elicited in both mice and macaques.