Prospects for a MERS-CoV spike vaccine. (3rd August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Yusen; Jiang, Shibo; Du, Lanying
• Is Part Of: Expert review of vaccines. Volume 17:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 677
• Page End: 686
• Publication Date: 2018-08-03
• Subjects: MERS -- MERS-CoV -- spike protein -- receptor-binding domain -- vaccine -- immune responses -- neutralizing antibodies -- protection; Vaccines -- Periodicals; Vaccination -- Periodicals; 615.37205
• DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2018.1506702
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-0584

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : Six years have passed since Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a newly emerging infectious virus, was first reported in 2012. Although MERS-CoV has had a consistently high mortality rate in humans, no vaccines have been approved to prevent MERS-CoV infection in humans. MERS-CoV spike (S) protein is a key target for development of MERS vaccines. Areas covered : In this review, we illustrate the structure and function of S protein as a vaccine target, describe available animal models for evaluating MERS vaccines, and summarize recent progress on MERS-CoV S-based vaccines, focusing on their ability to elicit antibody and/or cellular immune responses, neutralizing antibodies, and protection against MERS-CoV infection in different models. Prospects for future MERS-CoV S-based vaccines are discussed. Expert commentary : The majority of MERS vaccines under development are based on MERS-CoV S protein, including full-length S, S1, and receptor-binding domain (RBD). While it is essential to evaluate the safety of full-length S and S1-based MERS vaccines, further improvement of the efficacy of RBD-based vaccines using novel strategies would be necessary. Overall, this review provides informative guidance for designing and developing safe and effective MERS vaccines based on viral S protein.