Progress in enterovirus D68-neutralizing antibodies and vaccines

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a significant pathogen responsible for severe respiratory illnesses and acute flaccid myelitis (AFM).
• Currently, no licensed vaccines or therapeutics exist for EV-D68 infections.
• Neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) are crucial for blocking viral entry by targeting capsid epitopes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the antigenic structure of EV-D68.
• To elucidate the mechanisms of action for neutralizing antibodies.
• To summarize progress in vaccine development and discuss therapeutic prospects of nAbs against EV-D68.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of EV-D68 antigenic structure and nAb mechanisms.
• Analysis of current vaccine development strategies, including inactivated, virus-like particle (VLP), and nucleic acid vaccines.
• Examination of therapeutic potential of nAbs and challenges in countermeasure development.

Main Results:

• The review details the antigenic landscape of EV-D68, highlighting key epitopes targeted by nAbs.
• Mechanisms such as receptor blockade and conformational disruption by nAbs are explained.
• Progress in various vaccine platforms (inactivated, VLP, nucleic acid) is summarized, alongside the therapeutic potential of nAbs.

Conclusions:

• Effective countermeasures against EV-D68 are urgently needed.
• Neutralizing antibodies offer promising therapeutic avenues, but challenges like antigenic drift and blood-brain barrier penetration must be addressed.
• Continued research into vaccine development and nAb strategies is essential for controlling EV-D68.