Stabilized Full-Length Measles Fusion Protein Elicits Potent Immunity and Protection In Vivo.

ABSTRACT: Measles virus (MeV) is a highly contagious pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality in populations with low vaccination coverage. Infection typically leads to immune amnesia and, in rare cases, fatal neurological disease. While current live-attenuated vaccines are highly effective, they primarily elicit neutralizing antibodies against the hemagglutinin (H) glycoprotein, with a less robust response to the fusion (F) protein, a key protein for viral entry. To improve the immunogenicity of the F protein, we designed and characterized stabilized, prefusion MeV F protein antigens. We engineered both soluble ectodomains (F_ECTO) and full-length, membrane-embedded proteins (F_FL) with mutations that confer thermal stability. Cryo-electron microscopy confirmed t

SUBMITTER: Zyla DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12632350 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature