Abstract
The prefusion state of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion (F) glycoprotein is the target of most RSV-neutralizing activity in human sera, but its metastability has hindered characterization. To overcome this obstacle, we identified prefusion-specific antibodies that were substantially more potent than the prophylactic antibody palivizumab. The cocrystal structure for one of these antibodies, D25, in complex with the F glycoprotein revealed D25 to lock F in its prefusion state by binding to a quaternary epitope at the trimer apex. Electron microscopy showed that two other antibodies, AM22 and 5C4, also bound to the newly identified site of vulnerability, which we named antigenic site Ø. These studies should enable design of improved vaccine antigens and define new targets for passive prevention of RSV-induced disease.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / immunology
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Antibodies, Neutralizing / chemistry
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Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology*
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Crystallography, X-Ray
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Female
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Glycoproteins / chemistry
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Glycoproteins / immunology*
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HEK293 Cells
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Humans
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Neutralization Tests
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Palivizumab
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Protein Conformation
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Protein Multimerization
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines / chemistry
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines / immunology*
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Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / immunology*
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Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / physiology
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Viral Fusion Proteins / chemistry
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Viral Fusion Proteins / immunology*
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Virus Internalization
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
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Antibodies, Neutralizing
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Glycoproteins
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines
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Viral Fusion Proteins
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Palivizumab