The global impact of HMPV necessitates the development of effective vaccines and therapies, which is a focal point of ongoing scientific research and development. Our company offers a comprehensive suite of services aimed at accelerating the development of HMPV vaccines and therapies.
Overview of Human Metapneumovirus Infection
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a significant respiratory pathogen that poses a considerable health threat, particularly to infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Since its discovery in 2001, HMPV has been associated with a spectrum of respiratory illnesses, ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infections to severe lower respiratory tract diseases such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
HMPV is a member of the Pneumoviridae family and shares similarities with the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). It is an enveloped, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus with a genome that encodes for several structural and non-structural proteins. HMPV infection is characterized by an initial incubation period followed by the onset of respiratory symptoms. The virus is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets and direct contact, with seasonal outbreaks typically occurring during late winter and spring months.
Fig.1 Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) virion structure with viral proteins and their function. (Ballegeer M., et al., 2020)
Vaccine Development for Human Metapneumovirus Infection
The development of an HMPV vaccine has been a challenging endeavor due to the virus's genetic diversity, which is reflected in its two major genetic lineages, A and B, further subdivided into A1, A2, B1, and B2 sublineages. This genetic variability necessitates the creation of vaccines that can provide broad protection against different strains.
Table 1 Vaccine candidates against human metapneumovirus. (Márquez-Escobar V. A., et al., 2017)
| Vaccine immunogen |
Host species for the antigen preparation |
Type of vaccine |
Challenge |
Effects |
| G and SH/G deletion mutants from hMPV 83 |
LLC-MK2 cells |
ΔG and ΔSH/G, attenuated |
Golden Syrian hamster |
ΔG and ΔSH/G, replication reduced in URT and LRT, and production of neutralizing and protective antibodies |
| M2-1 and M2-2 deletion mutants from hMPV CAN97-83 |
Vero cells |
ΔM2-2, Attenuated |
Golden Syrian hamster |
High titer of hMPV neutralizing and protective antibodies against wt hMPV challenge |
| SH, G and M2-2 deletions mutants |
LLC-MK2 cells |
ΔM2-2, ΔG and ΔSH/G, attenuated |
AGM |
The ΔG and ΔM2-2 immunization was highly protective against the challenge |
| Chimera between N or P protein of AMPV and hMPV |
BSR T7/5 and Vero cells |
Attenuated |
Golden Syrian hamster |
Significant reduction of virus titer with P chimera in both URT and LRT, meanwhile N
chimera reduced virus titer only in LRT |
| hMPV strain C-85473 (formalin-inactivated) |
LLC-MK2 cells |
Inactivated |
Cotton rats |
Dramatic increase in lung pathology although the presence of serum neutralizing antibodies |
| Recombinant hMPV lacking the G protein |
BSR T7/5 and LLC-MK2 cells |
Attenuated |
A549 and 293 cell line |
Production of pro-inflammatory molecules and type I IFN |
Chimeric F protein from hMPV harboring
neutralizing epitopes from RSV F protein |
293 F cells |
Chimeric |
BALB/C mice |
Induction of serum neutralizing antibodies against hMPV but not to RSV |
Therapeutics Development for Human Metapneumovirus Infection
Direct-Acting Antivirals
Direct-acting antivirals target specific viral components or processes. For example, inhibitors of the viral fusion protein prevent viral entry into host cells. Ribavirin, a nucleoside analog with broad-spectrum antiviral activity, has been investigated for its potential against HMPV.
Immunomodulatory Therapies
Given the significant role of the host immune response in HMPV pathogenesis, therapies modulating the host response have been explored. This includes the use of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and immunomodulatory agents to enhance antiviral defenses.
Our Services
At our company, we excel in offering specialized services for the development of vaccines and therapies customized to address HMPV infection. Our diverse team of experts utilizes cutting-edge strategies and approaches to progress HMPV vaccine candidates and therapeutic solutions along the research and development trajectory.
Disease Models
- HMPV Infection BALB/c Mice (Mus musculus)
- HMPV Infection Syrian Golden Hamsters
- HMPV Infection Cotton Rats (Sigmodon hispidus)
- HMPV Infection African Green Monkeys
- HMPV Infection Rhesus Macaques
Utilizing both small animal and non-human primate models, we investigate HMPV pathogenesis and immune responses to vaccine candidates. These studies provide critical insights into viral dynamics, informing the design of effective therapeutics. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Ballegeer, Marlies, and Xavier Saelens. "Cell-Mediated Responses to Human Metapneumovirus Infection." Viruses 12.5 (2020): 542.
- Márquez-Escobar, Verónica Araceli. "Current developments and prospects on human metapneumovirus vaccines." Expert review of vaccines 16.5 (2017): 419-431.
- Shafagati, Nazly, and John Williams. "Human metapneumovirus-what we know now." F1000Research 7 (2018).
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
