Advances in MERS-CoV Vaccines and Therapeutics Based on the Receptor-Binding Domain

Viruses. 2019 Jan 14;11(1):60. doi: 10.3390/v11010060.

Abstract

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an infectious virus that was first reported in 2012. The MERS-CoV genome encodes four major structural proteins, among which the spike (S) protein has a key role in viral infection and pathogenesis. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the S protein contains a critical neutralizing domain and is an important target for development of MERS vaccines and therapeutics. In this review, we describe the relevant features of the MERS-CoV S-protein RBD, summarize recent advances in the development of MERS-CoV RBD-based vaccines and therapeutic antibodies, and illustrate potential challenges and strategies to further improve their efficacy.

Keywords: Coronavirus; MERS-CoV; receptor-binding domain; spike protein; therapeutics; vaccines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Binding Sites
  • Chiroptera / virology
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / drug effects*
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, Virus / chemistry*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / chemistry*
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Receptors, Virus
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Viral Vaccines