Structure, Immunogenicity, and Conformation-Dependent Receptor Binding of the Postfusion Human Metapneumovirus F Protein
Jiachen Huang, Pradeep Chopra, Lin Liu, Tamás Nagy, Jackelyn Murray, Ralph A. Tripp, Geert‐Jan Boons, Jarrod J. Mousa
Abstract
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an important cause of viral respiratory disease. In this paper, we report the X-ray crystal structure of the hMPV fusion (F) protein in the postfusion conformation from genotype B. We also assessed binding of the hMPV F protein to heparin and heparan sulfate, a previously reported receptor for the hMPV F protein. Furthermore, we determined the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of postfusion hMPV B2 F protein, which is the first study using a homogenous conformation of the protein. Antibodies generated in response to vaccination give a balanced Th1/Th2 response and target two previously discovered neutralizing epitopes.