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Updated: Nov 4, 2025
An Improved and High Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus RSV Micro-neutralization Assay
Published on: January 26, 2019
Monoclonal Antibodies for Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Rosa Rodriguez-Fernandez1,2, Asuncion Mejias1, Octavio Ramilo1
1From the Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.
Insights
New monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) offer improved prevention against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for infants. A single dose of these enhanced mAbs could provide season-long protection, reducing hospitalizations.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of infant hospitalizations globally.
- Current prevention with palivizumab requires multiple monthly intramuscular doses.
- Advances in structural biology and mAb technology enable new prevention strategies.
Observation:
- Advances in understanding the RSV F protein structure and neutralizing epitopes have emerged.
- New technologies facilitate the development of next-generation monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).
Findings:
- A new generation of enhanced mAbs targeting novel epitopes with extended half-lives is under development.
- These advanced mAbs aim to provide complete RSV season protection with a single intramuscular dose.
Implications:
- This approach seeks to simplify passive immunization for all infants, including preterm and full-term, during their first months of life.
- The goal is to prevent RSV lower respiratory tract infections before initial exposure, reducing infant hospitalizations worldwide.
Abstract:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalizations in infants worldwide. Palivizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against the RSV F protein, is the only licensed agent for prevention of severe RSV infection in high-risk infants. Palivizumab is administered intramuscularly, every month during the RSV season, usually 5 doses are required. In recent years, the resolution of the structure of the RSV F protein, with identification of potent neutralizing epitopes, and new technologies for production of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have facilitated the development of new alternative strategies for the prevention of RSV infections. One promising approach is a new generation of mAbs directed to new neutralizing epitopes and with prolonged half life. These enhanced mAbs are expected to provide adequate protection during the complete RSV season with a single intramuscular (IM) dose. The long-term goal of this approach is to provide passive immunization for the prevention of RSV lower respiratory tract infection to all infants (preterm and full term) in the first months of life before their initial exposure to RSV.
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