Modification of the Spike Protein for Vaccines against Enveloped RNA Viruses

Abstract- Most vaccines work by inducing neutralizing antibodies that target the viral envelope. Enveloped RNA viruses have evolved mechanisms for surface glycoproteins to evade host immune responses, which exhibit substantial variability, even among different strains. Natural infection and vaccines using native forms of surface proteins may induce broadly neutralizing antibodies, yet with low and ineffective levels. Class I membrane-fusion proteins of enveloped RNA viruses, HIV-1, influenza A virus, SARS-CoV-2, yield a stable conformation (so-called pre-fusion) in providing fusion between viral and host cell membranes. Modified viral surface proteins that are based on these features induce neutralizing antibodies with activity available against a broad spectrum of circulating strains and make it possible to overcome the difficulties associated with escape/variability of viral antigen.

Automated summary

Most vaccines induce neutralizing antibodies targeting the viral envelope, but enveloped RNA viruses have evolved mechanisms to evade host immune responses. Natural infection and vaccines using native surface proteins may produce broadly neutralizing antibodies with limited effectiveness. Modified viral surface proteins based on stable fusion proteins of RNA viruses can induce neutralizing antibodies effective against various strains, overcoming antigenic escape/variability challenges.