Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
[Measles virus]
1Department of Respiratory Viruses, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan Institute for Health Security, Musashimurayama, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Measles virus is the pathogen that causes measles and is highly infectious. Measles virus uses two molecules as viral receptors: signaling lymphocytic activation molecule, expressed on immune cells, and nectin-4, expressed on epithelial cells. Usage of these receptors is strongly associated with the pathogenesis of measles. Although it remains a leading cause of childhood mortality worldwide, measles elimination is being promoted by the availability of a highly effective live attenuated vaccines. Due to the elimination of measles in many countries, the circulating measles genotypes have been reduced to two, B3 and D8, in recent years. Therefore, in addition to genotyping using the conventional 450-nucleotide N gene region, new methods such as wholegenome sequencing and analysis of the M-F non-coding region are being tested for case association and outbreak tracking. Although measles virus is a single serotype, there are genomic differences among genotypes, including variations in B-cell and T-cell epitopes. However, current live attenuated vaccines remain sufficiently effective against all genotypes. On the other hand, the maintenance of protective immunity in vaccinees may become increasingly important, since vaccine-induced immunity tends to wane over time unlike the more durable immunity following natural infection.
Insights
Measles virus, a highly infectious pathogen, utilizes specific cell receptors for entry. While vaccines are effective, maintaining immunity is crucial as vaccine-induced protection can decrease over time.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Measles virus is a highly infectious agent causing measles, a significant childhood mortality cause.
- Viral entry relies on signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) on immune cells and nectin-4 on epithelial cells, impacting pathogenesis.
- Despite effective live attenuated vaccines, measles elimination efforts are ongoing, with reduced circulating genotypes (B3, D8).
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore advancements in measles virus genotyping and outbreak tracking methods.
- To assess the effectiveness of current vaccines against different measles genotypes.
- To highlight the importance of sustained protective immunity in vaccinees.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of viral receptor usage in measles pathogenesis.
- Genotyping of measles virus using conventional N gene sequencing.
- Exploration of whole-genome sequencing and M-F non-coding region analysis for outbreak tracking.
Main Results:
- Measles virus employs SLAM and nectin-4 for cellular entry, influencing disease progression.
- New genotyping methods are being evaluated for enhanced case association and outbreak tracking.
- Current live attenuated vaccines demonstrate efficacy against all circulating measles genotypes.
Conclusions:
- Maintaining protective immunity is increasingly vital due to potential waning of vaccine-induced immunity over time.
- Genomic surveillance advancements are crucial for monitoring measles virus evolution and spread.
- While vaccines are effective, long-term immunity strategies may be necessary for sustained measles control.
Related Concept Videos
01:51Vaccinations
01:03Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
00:57Viral Recombination