scholarly journals Structure of a Major Antigenic Site on the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fusion Glycoprotein in Complex with Neutralizing Antibody 101F

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (23) ◽  
pp. 12236-12244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason S. McLellan ◽  
Man Chen ◽  
Jung-San Chang ◽  
Yongping Yang ◽  
Albert Kim ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis in infants and elderly people. Currently there is no effective vaccine against RSV, but passive prophylaxis with neutralizing antibodies reduces hospitalizations. To investigate the mechanism of antibody-mediated RSV neutralization, we undertook structure-function studies of monoclonal antibody 101F, which binds a linear epitope in the RSV fusion glycoprotein. Crystal structures of the 101F antigen-binding fragment in complex with peptides from the fusion glycoprotein defined both the extent of the linear epitope and the interactions of residues that are mutated in antibody escape variants. The structure allowed for modeling of 101F in complex with trimers of the fusion glycoprotein, and the resulting models suggested that 101F may contact additional surfaces located outside the linear epitope. This hypothesis was supported by surface plasmon resonance experiments that demonstrated 101F bound the peptide epitope ∼16,000-fold more weakly than the fusion glycoprotein. The modeling also showed no substantial clashes between 101F and the fusion glycoprotein in either the pre- or postfusion state, and cell-based assays indicated that 101F neutralization was not associated with blocking virus attachment. Collectively, these results provide a structural basis for RSV neutralization by antibodies that target a major antigenic site on the fusion glycoprotein.

1987 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 933-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Trudel ◽  
Francine Nadon ◽  
Cécile Séguin ◽  
Pierre Payment ◽  
Pierre J. Talbot

Competition experiments and biological assays with a panel of 15 monoclonal antibodies confirmed the presence of at least four antigenic sites on the fusion protein of human respiratory syncytial virus, three of which were involved in virus neutralization. One antigenic site, recognized by two strongly neutralizing antibodies, was conserved after reduction and denaturation and shown by immunoblotting to be localized on the F1 fragment of the fusion protein. Cleavage of this protein with staphylococcal protease V8 or papain produced a series of smaller peptides from 11 to 7 kilodaltons that retained this important neutralization determinant. Compared with the other neutralization sites, the epitope defined by monoclonal antibody 7C2 thus appears as the major neutralization epitope. Our peptide mapping results support the hypothesis that this major epitope is composed of a continuous sequence on the viral genome.


2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (44) ◽  
pp. E6849-E6858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarrod J. Mousa ◽  
Marion F. Sauer ◽  
Alexander M. Sevy ◽  
Jessica A. Finn ◽  
John T. Bates ◽  
...  

Palivizumab was the first antiviral monoclonal antibody (mAb) approved for therapeutic use in humans, and remains a prophylactic treatment for infants at risk for severe disease because of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Palivizumab is an engineered humanized version of a murine mAb targeting antigenic site II of the RSV fusion (F) protein, a key target in vaccine development. There are limited reported naturally occurring human mAbs to site II; therefore, the structural basis for human antibody recognition of this major antigenic site is poorly understood. Here, we describe a nonneutralizing class of site II-specific mAbs that competed for binding with palivizumab to postfusion RSV F protein. We also describe two classes of site II-specific neutralizing mAbs, one of which escaped competition with nonneutralizing mAbs. An X-ray crystal structure of the neutralizing mAb 14N4 in complex with F protein showed that the binding angle at which human neutralizing mAbs interact with antigenic site II determines whether or not nonneutralizing antibodies compete with their binding. Fine-mapping studies determined that nonneutralizing mAbs that interfere with binding of neutralizing mAbs recognize site II with a pose that facilitates binding to an epitope containing F surface residues on a neighboring protomer. Neutralizing antibodies, like motavizumab and a new mAb designated 3J20 that escape interference by the inhibiting mAbs, avoid such contact by binding at an angle that is shifted away from the nonneutralizing site. Furthermore, binding to rationally and computationally designed site II helix–loop–helix epitope-scaffold vaccines distinguished neutralizing from nonneutralizing site II antibodies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Normand Blais ◽  
Martin Gagné ◽  
Yoshitomo Hamuro ◽  
Patrick Rheault ◽  
Martine Boyer ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) fusion (F) protein is considered a major target of the neutralizing antibody response to hRSV. This glycoprotein undergoes a major structural shift from the prefusion (pre-F) to the postfusion (post-F) state at the time of virus-host cell membrane fusion. Recent evidences suggest that the pre-F state is a superior target for neutralizing antibodies compared to the post-F state. Therefore, for vaccine purposes, we have designed and characterized a recombinant hRSV F protein, called Pre-F-GCN4t, stabilized in a pre-F conformation. To show that Pre-F-GCN4t does not switch to a post-F conformation, it was compared with a recombinant post-F molecule, called Post-F-XC. Pre-F-GCN4t was glycosylated and trimeric and displayed a conformational stability different from that of Post-F-XC, as shown by chemical denaturation. Electron microscopy analysis suggested that Pre-F-GCN4t adopts a lollipop-like structure. In contrast, Post-F-XC had a typical elongated conical shape. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry demonstrated that the two molecules had common rigid folding core and dynamic regions and provided structural insight for their biophysical and biochemical properties and reactivity. Pre-F-GCN4t was shown to deplete hRSV-neutralizing antibodies from human serum more efficiently than Post-F-XC. Importantly, Pre-F-GCN4t was also shown to bind D25, a highly potent monoclonal antibody specific for the pre-F conformation. In conclusion, this construct presents several pre-F characteristics, does not switch to the post-F conformation, and presents antigenic features required for a protective neutralizing antibody response. Therefore, Pre-F-GCN4t can be considered a promising candidate vaccine antigen. IMPORTANCE Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a global leading cause of infant mortality and adult morbidity. The development of a safe and efficacious RSV vaccine remains an important goal. The RSV class I fusion (F) glycoprotein is considered one of the most promising vaccine candidates, and recent evidences suggest that the prefusion (pre-F) state is a superior target for neutralizing antibodies. Our study presents the physicochemical characterization of Pre-F-GCN4t, a molecule designed to be stabilized in the pre-F conformation. To confirm its pre-F conformation, Pre-F-GCN4t was analyzed in parallel with Post-F-XC, a molecule in the post-F conformation. Our results show that Pre-F-GCN4t presents characteristics of a stabilized pre-F conformation and support its use as an RSV vaccine antigen. Such an antigen may represent a significant advance in the development of an RSV vaccine.


Vaccines ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Phung ◽  
Lauren Chang ◽  
Kaitlyn Morabito ◽  
Masaru Kanekiyo ◽  
Man Chen ◽  
...  

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes substantial morbidity and mortality in children and older adults. An effective vaccine must elicit neutralizing antibodies targeting the RSV fusion (F) protein, which exists in two major conformations, pre-fusion (pre-F) and post-fusion (post-F). Although 50% of the surface is shared, pre-F contains highly neutralization-sensitive antigenic sites not present on post-F. Recent advancement of several subunit F-based vaccine trials has spurred interest in quantifying and understanding the protective potential of antibodies directed to individual antigenic sites. Monoclonal antibody competition ELISAs are being used to measure these endpoints, but the impact of F conformation and competition from antibodies binding to adjacent antigenic sites has not been thoroughly investigated. Since this information is critical for interpreting clinical trial outcomes and defining serological correlates of protection, we optimized assays to evaluate D25-competing antibodies (DCA) to antigenic site Ø on pre-F, and compared readouts of palivizumab-competing antibodies (PCA) to site II on both pre-F and post-F. We show that antibodies to adjacent antigenic sites can contribute to DCA and PCA readouts, and that cross-competition from non-targeted sites is especially confounding when PCA is measured using a post-F substrate. While measuring DCA and PCA levels may be useful to delineate the role of antibodies targeting the apex and side of the F protein, respectively, the assay limitations and caveats should be considered when conducting immune monitoring during vaccine trials and defining correlates of protection.


2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 6498-6509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Concepción Palomo ◽  
Vicente Mas ◽  
Laurent Detalle ◽  
Erik Depla ◽  
Olga Cano ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTALX-0171 is a trivalent Nanobody derived from monovalent Nb017 that binds to antigenic site II of the human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) fusion (F) glycoprotein. ALX-0171 is about 6,000 to 10,000 times more potent than Nb017 in neutralization tests with strains of hRSV antigenic groups A and B. To explore the effect of this enhanced neutralization on escape mutant selection, viruses resistant to either ALX-0171 or Nb017 were isolated after serial passage of the hRSV Long strain in the presence of suboptimal concentrations of the respective Nanobodies. Resistant viruses emerged notably faster with Nb017 than with ALX-0171 and in both cases contained amino acid changes in antigenic site II of hRSV F. Detailed binding and neutralization analyses of these escape mutants as well as previously described mutants resistant to certain monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) offered a comprehensive description of site II mutations which are relevant for neutralization by MAbs and Nanobodies. Notably, ALX-0171 showed a sizeable neutralization potency with most escape mutants, even with some of those selected with the Nanobody, and these findings make ALX-0171 an attractive antiviral for treatment of hRSV infections.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S74-S75
Author(s):  
Joseph B Domachowske ◽  
Veronique Bianco ◽  
Ana Ceballos ◽  
Luis Cousin ◽  
Ulises D’Andrea ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) during infancy worldwide. High cord blood (CB) concentrations of anti-RSV neutralizing antibody (nAb) may attenuate, delay, or prevent infant infection. We report RSV A and B nAb concentrations in CB and serum from a birth cohort at different time points through 2 years of age. Methods Between 2013 and 2017, newborns from 8 countries were studied prospectively from birth to 2 years of age (NCT01995175). CB was collected at birth for the entire cohort. A subcohort of children was randomly assigned to have one blood sample collected again at either 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, or 24 months of age. Sera were analyzed for RSV A and B nAb concentrations by serum neutralization assay. Active surveillance was used to identify LRTIs during the 2-year follow-up as previously reported. Results In total, 2,401 newborns were enrolled and followed up. >99% of infants had detectable CB RSV A and B nAb. Geometric mean antibody titers (GMTs) varied by country, but were overall higher for RSV B than for RSV A (327 vs. 251; Figure 1). The lowest GMTs were seen from CB sera collected from South African newborns (197 RSV A, 255 RSV B); Canadian newborns had the highest RSV A GMT (383), while Hondurans had the highest RSV B GMT (460). 1380 infants provided follow-up serum nAb results as part of the subcohort (Figure 2). Dramatic waning of GMTs was evident, with a ~3-fold drop in GMTs at 2 months of age, and an additional ~2-fold drop between 2 and 4 months of age. At 6 and 12 months of age, 71% and 50% of infants had RSV A nAb and GMTs were at a nadir of 14. At 6, 12, and 18 months of age, RSV B nAb was detected in 98%, 69%, and 63% of infants, respectively. The RSV B nAb nadir GMT of 20 was observed at 12 months of age, while the 6- and 18-month RSV B nAb GMTs were 30 and 31, respectively. A total of 1,017 LRTIs were identified during the 2-year study period; of which, 94 (9%) were caused by RSV A and 132 (13%) by RSV B. Associations between CB nAb levels and RSV infection will be presented. Conclusion Neutralizing Ab to RSV A and B was present at birth in infants from 8 countries, and waned over time. GMTs were at a nadir at 6 to 12 months of age. Funding. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA. Disclosures All Authors: No reported Disclosures.


2019 ◽  
Vol 220 (11) ◽  
pp. 1816-1825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tino F Schwarz ◽  
Roderick A McPhee ◽  
Odile Launay ◽  
Geert Leroux-Roels ◽  
Jaak Talli ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory tract illness and hospitalization in neonates and infants. RSV vaccination during pregnancy may protect offspring in their first months of life. Methods This randomized, observer-blind, multicenter, phase 2 study evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of an RSV candidate vaccine in healthy nonpregnant women aged 18–45 years. Four hundred participants were randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive a single intramuscular dose of vaccine containing 30 µg, 60 µg, or 120 µg of RSV fusion protein engineered to preferentially maintain a prefusion conformation (RSV-PreF vaccine) or placebo. Results Thirty days postvaccination, RSV-A neutralizing antibody geometric mean titers (GMTs) increased 3.75-, 4.42- and 4.36-fold; RSV-B neutralizing antibody GMTs 2.36-, 2.54- and 2.76-fold; and palivizumab competing antibody (PCA) concentrations 11.69-, 14.38- and 14.24-fold compared with baseline levels in the 30 µg, 60 µg, and 120 µg RSV-PreF groups, respectively. Antibody titers and PCA concentrations at day 30 were significantly higher with the 120 µg compared to the 30 µg RSV-PreF vaccine. All RSV-PreF vaccine formulations and the placebo had similar reactogenicity profiles. No serious adverse events were considered to be related to the RSV-PreF vaccine. Conclusions The 3 formulations of the investigational RSV-PreF vaccine were well-tolerated and induced RSV-A and RSV-B neutralizing antibodies and PCAs in healthy, nonpregnant women. Clinical Trials Registration NCT02956837.


2007 ◽  
Vol 88 (10) ◽  
pp. 2719-2723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng-Jiun Wu ◽  
Albert Schmidt ◽  
Eric J. Beil ◽  
Nicole D. Day ◽  
Patrick J. Branigan ◽  
...  

Chimeric 101F (ch101F) is a mouse–human chimeric anti-human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) neutralizing antibody that recognizes residues within antigenic site IV, V, VI of the fusion (F) glycoprotein. The binding of ch101F to a series of peptides overlapping aa 422–438 spanning antigenic site IV, V, VI was analysed. Residues 423–436 comprise the minimal peptide sequence for ch101F binding. Substitution analysis revealed that R429 and K433 are critical for ch101F binding, whilst K427 makes a minor contribution. Binding of ch101F to a series of single mutations at positions 427, 429 and 433 in the F protein expressed recombinantly on the cell surface confirmed the peptide results. Sequence analysis of viruses selected for resistance to neutralization by ch101F indicated that a single change (K433T) in the F protein allowed ch101F escape. The results confirm that ch101F and palivizumab have different epitope specificity and define key residues for ch101F recognition.


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