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Updated: Feb 15, 2026
An Improved and High Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus RSV Micro-neutralization Assay
Published on: January 26, 2019
Infants Infected with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Generate Potent Neutralizing Antibodies that Lack Somatic
Eileen Goodwin1, Morgan S A Gilman2, Daniel Wrapp2
1Adimab LLC, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA.
Insights
Infant antibody responses to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection reveal key targets for vaccine development. Understanding these natural immune responses can guide the creation of effective RSV vaccines for infants.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of infant mortality.
- No licensed vaccines are currently available to protect infants from RSV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand infant antibody responses to natural RSV infection.
- To facilitate the development of RSV vaccines for infants.
Main Methods:
- Isolated over 450 RSV fusion glycoprotein (F)-specific antibodies from 7 infected infants.
- Analyzed antibody recognition sites, sequence features, and structural characteristics.
- Investigated neutralizing activity and presence in naive B cell repertoires.
Main Results:
- Half of the isolated antibodies targeted only two specific antigenic sites on the RSV F protein.
- Antibodies targeting these sites exhibited convergent sequence features.
- A subset of antibodies showed potent neutralizing activity without somatic mutations and were found in RSV-naive B cells.
Conclusions:
- Identified key antigenic sites on RSV F protein crucial for infant antibody responses.
- Demonstrated the potential for developing infant RSV vaccines by targeting specific B cell populations.
- Provided insights into rational vaccine design for age-specific protection against RSV.
Abstract:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of infant mortality, and there are currently no licensed vaccines to protect this vulnerable population. A comprehensive understanding of infant antibody responses to natural RSV infection would facilitate vaccine development. Here, we isolated more than 450 RSV fusion glycoprotein (F)-specific antibodies from 7 RSV-infected infants and found that half of the antibodies recognized only two antigenic sites. Antibodies targeting both sites showed convergent sequence features, and structural studies revealed the molecular basis for their recognition of RSV F. A subset of antibodies targeting one of these sites displayed potent neutralizing activity despite lacking somatic mutations, and similar antibodies were detected in RSV-naive B cell repertoires, suggesting that expansion of these B cells in infants may be possible with suitably designed vaccine antigens. Collectively, our results provide fundamental insights into infant antibody responses and a framework for the rational design of age-specific RSV vaccines.
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