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MERS-CoV spike protein: Targets for vaccines and therapeutics

Qihui Wang1, Gary Wong2, Guangwen Lu3

  • 1CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Immunity, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518112, China.

Antiviral Research
|July 30, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) remains a threat, with no approved vaccines or treatments. This review focuses on the MERS-CoV spike protein

Area of Science:

  • Virology and Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Vaccine Development

Background:

  • The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak, ongoing since 2012, has infected over 1700 individuals.
  • Licensed vaccines and therapeutics against MERS-CoV are currently unavailable, necessitating urgent medical countermeasures.
  • The MERS-CoV spike (S) protein is crucial for viral entry and elicits significant immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the critical role of the MERS-CoV spike (S) protein in the virus's life cycle.
  • To summarize recent advancements in MERS-CoV vaccines and therapeutics targeting the S protein.
  • To explore potential strategies for developing novel medical countermeasures against MERS-CoV.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific publications on MERS-CoV, focusing on the spike protein.
  • Analysis of recent research on vaccine and therapeutic development strategies.
  • Discussion of future directions for MERS-CoV countermeasure research.

Main Results:

  • The MERS-CoV S protein is a key mediator of host cell entry and a primary target for immune responses.
  • Significant progress has been made in developing S protein-based vaccines and therapeutics, though none are yet licensed.
  • Various approaches utilizing the S protein show promise for future MERS-CoV interventions.

Conclusions:

  • The MERS-CoV spike protein is a vital target for developing effective vaccines and therapeutics.
  • Continued research into S protein-based strategies is essential for combating the ongoing MERS-CoV threat.
  • Further exploration of novel countermeasures is needed to address the unmet medical needs for MERS-CoV.
Keywords:
Animal modelsCoronavirusMERS-CoVSpike proteinTherapeuticsVaccines

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