Systematic computer-aided disulfide design as a general strategy to stabilize prefusion class I fusion proteins.

Numerous enveloped viruses, such as coronaviruses, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), utilize class I fusion proteins for cell entry. During this process, the proteins transition from a prefusion to a postfusion state, undergoing substantial and irreversible conformational changes. The prefusion conformation has repeatedly shown significant potential in vaccine development.

Systematic computer-aided disulfide design as a general strategy to stabilize prefusion class I fusion proteins.

Numerous enveloped viruses, such as coronaviruses, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), utilize class I fusion proteins for cell entry. During this process, the proteins transition from a prefusion to a postfusion state, undergoing substantial and irreversible conformational changes. The prefusion conformation has repeatedly shown significant potential in vaccine development.

Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis: a possible connection through the viral demyelinating neurodegenerative trigger (vDENT).

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are two CNS disorders affecting millions of people, for which no cure is available. AD is usually diagnosed in individuals age 65 and older and manifests with accumulation of beta amyloid in the brain. MS, a demyelinating disorder, is most commonly diagnosed in its relapsing-remitting (RRMS) form in young adults (age 20-40).

Development of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Candidates for the Elderly.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant threat to elderly populations and repeated infections that occur throughout life are poorly protective. To assess the role of prior RSV infections as well as elderly immune senescence on vaccine efficacy, we compared immune responses after virus-like particle (VLP) immunization of elderly cotton rats and young cotton rats, both previously RSV infected, in order to mimic the human population. We show that immunization of RSV-experienced young or elderly animals resulted in the same levels of anti-pre-F IgG, anti-G IgG, neutralizing antibody titers, and protection from challenge indicating that the delivery of F and G proteins in a VLP is equally effective in activation of protective responses in both elderly and young populations.

Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) Infection and MPV467 Treatment in Immunocompromised Cotton Rats .

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an important cause of respiratory disease in immunocompromised individuals, yet hMPV infection has not been modeled before in immunocompromised animals. In this work, cotton rats immunosuppressed by cyclophosphamide were infected with hMPV, and viral replication and pulmonary inflammation in these animals were compared to those in normal hMPV-infected . The efficacy of prophylactic and therapeutic administration of the anti-hMPV antibody MPV467 was also evaluated.