The HMPV virus has been majorly affecting the globe, therefore, there needs to be research and development in terms of better vaccines and therapeutics for it, and there is a great deal of work being done in this area. We provide a highly integrated set of services that facilitate the development of HMPV vaccines and therapies.
Overview of Human Metapneumovirus Infection
HMPV is known to be a respiratory virus that might have dire consequences for the health of the patient, especially those who an infant, elderly or an immunocompromised individual. Since it's identification in 2001, HMPV has been linked with the raw variety of respiratory diseases from mild upper respiratory infection to severe lower respiratory tract infection such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Therefore, HMPV infection poses significant risk to those weighing at a lower side on the age spectrum.
HMPV inhalation leads to multiple structural and non-structural proteins to be released into the body which makes the body perceive there is an enveloped which is a single-stranded negative RNA virus attacking the body. They are half of the Pneumoviridae family and closely linked to the RSV virus. There is an incubation period followed by the onset of respiratory symptoms in response to the infection. The primary source of transmission is through droplets and direct contact but seasonal outbreaks have been witnessed to occur throughout the winter and the spring season.
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 diverse genetic features of the virus further complicate the difficult task of producing an HMPV vaccine which is only unevenly in demand. This genetic variation implies the need for vaccines that are able to confer broad based protection against all strains, even A and B.
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
We consider direct-acting antiviral drugs targeting certain elements or processes of the virus. As an example, fusion protein inhibitors have been developed to block viral entry into host cell. Ribavirin, a broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside analogue, was additionally studied in its potential applications against HMPV.
Immunomodulatory Therapies
Considering the important immunological involvement in HMPV pathogenesis, there is the exploration of host response modifying therapies. Such therapies include corticosteroids to alleviate inflammation and immunomodulates to bolster antiviral immune mechanisms.
Our Services
Our firm provides tailored solutions for the creation of vaccines and therapies that target HMPV infections and in this area we have vast experience. We have a multi-faceted team of experts who incorporate inventive methodologies and apply them to advance HMPV therapeutic and vaccine candidates along the R&D pipeline.
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.
