Scientists gain new insight on how antibodies interact with widespread respiratory virus

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infects most children worldwide by the age of 2. It usually causes mild cold like symptoms but can lead to severe conditions like pneumonia. Since this RSV cause widespread viral infection and it is closely related to human metapneumoniavirus (hMPV), there is no specific vaccines have been developed to fight against these viruses.

To overcome from these viruses scientists have investigated that some human antibodies that are produced by the human immune system is response to RSV infection. Vaccines generally work by priming the body to unleash a strong antibody response against invading pathogens, so anti-RSV antibodies could be invaluable.

From previous research it was found that human antibodies that bind to certain sites on the RSV F protein, inhibiting the virus's ability to fuse to a human cell. By transfusing blood from donors, and colleagues, four new antibodies are discovered that bind to a specific site of RSV F protein known as site IV. One of the antibodies, called 3M3, showed particular strength in disabling RSV, suggesting it might be useful in treatment or prevention. Another antibody, 17E10, can attack and neutralize both RSV and hMPV, which has a very similar F protein. This is a great achievement in medical field.

The researchers used electron microscopy to visualize antibody-virus interactions. This work open that 17E10 binds F protein more efficiently than do the other three antibodies. This directly related to 17E10's ability to neutralize both RSV and hMPV.

Annual Conference on Bacterial, Viral and Infectious Diseases provide opportunities to the young researchers to represent their ideas and to design better next generation vaccine antigens for these common viral pathogens.