Work

Poxvirus structural biology for application to vaccine design

Year: 2025

Type: review

Abstract: The upsurge of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in Africa and its global spread highlight the need for improved vaccines. The development of new recombinant vaccines, including mRNA and protein nanoparticles, depends on understanding the biology of poxviruses and selecting the most protective immunogens. Animal studies demonstrate that vaccines need to target the antigens of both infectious forms - the mature virion and the enveloped virion - which display surface proteins responsible for cell entry and cell-to-cell spread, respectively. Although some of these proteins have been shown to induce protective antibodies, others including most of those that are essential for membrane fusion remain to be tested. We review the structures of orthopoxvirus surface proteins as a guide to the selection of optimal antigens for recombinant vaccines.

Source: Trends in Immunology

DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2025.04.002

Authors: Huibin Yu, Wolfgang Resch, Bernard Moss

Institutions: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Center for Information Technology

Language: English

Topic: Poxvirus research and outbreaks

Subfield: Virology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $7,030