Inhibition of human respiratory syncytial virus infectivity by a dendrimeric heparan sulfate-binding Peptide

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) interacts with cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) to initiate infection. The interaction of RSV with HSPGs thus presents an attractive target for the development of novel inhibitors of RSV infection. In the present study, a minilibrary of linear, dimeric, and dendrimeric peptides containing clusters of basic amino acids was screened with the aim of identifying peptides able to bind HSPGs and thus block RSV attachment and infectivity. Of the compounds identified, the dendrimer SB105-A10 was the most potent inhibitor of RSV infectivity, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)s) of 0.35 μM and 0.25 μM measured in Hep-2 and A549 cells, respectively. SB105-A10 was found to bind to both cell types via HSPGs, suggesting that its antiviral activity is indeed exerted by competing with RSV for binding to cell surface HSPGs. SB105-A10 prevented RSV infection when added before the viral inoculum, in line with its proposed HSPG-binding mechanism of action; moreover, antiviral activity was also exhibited when SB105-A10 was added postinfection, as it was able to reduce the cell-to-cell spread of the virus. The antiviral potential of SB105-A10 was further assessed using human-derived tracheal/bronchial epithelial cells cultured to form a pseudostratified, highly differentiated model of the epithelial tissue of the human respiratory tract. SB105-A10 strongly reduced RSV infectivity in this model and exhibited no signs of cytotoxicity or proinflammatory effects. Together, these features render SB105-A10 an attractive candidate for further development as a RSV inhibitor to be administered by aerosol delivery.     

Antiviral activity and molecular mechanism of an orally active respiratory syncytial virus fusion inhibitor

BMS-433771 is an orally bioavailable respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) inhibitor, functioning through inhibition of viral F protein-induced membrane fusion. The compound is active against both A and B groups of RSV, with an average EC(50) of 20 nM. BMS-433771 is also efficacious against RSV infection in two rodent models when dosed orally prior to infection. The compound possesses good pharmacokinetic properties, while maintaining a favourable toxicity profile. Consequently, BMS-433771 is well suited for further clinical evaluation in humans. Direct affinity labelling studies indicate that the compound binds in a hydrophobic cavity within the trimeric N-terminal heptad repeat. During the fusion process, this heptad repeat associates with a C-terminal heptad repeat to form a six helical coiled-coil bundle (or trimer-of-hairpins), and BMS-433771 presumably interferes with the functional association of these heptad repeats. The fusion protein of many other class 1 fusion viruses, such as HIV and influenza, form similar hairpin structures as a prelude to membrane fusion. The identification of BMS-433771 provides a proof of concept for small molecule inhibitors that target the formation of the six helical coiled-coil structure, which could be a prototype for the development of similar antivirals against other class 1 fusion viruses.     

Inhibition of respiratory syncytial virus by RhoA-derived peptides: implications for the development of improved antiviral agents targeting heparin-binding viruses

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion glycoprotein (F) can interact with the small intracellular GTPase RhoA, and peptides derived from RhoA inhibit RSV replication. These observations initially suggested that RhoA-derived peptides might inhibit RSV replication by disrupting an in vivo interaction between RSV F and RhoA. However, recent data indicate that the antiviral activity of RhoA-derived peptides is not due to competitive inhibition of an hypothesized F-RhoA interaction, but is rather a function of the peptides' intrinsic biophysical properties. We summarize here what is known about the mechanism of RSV inhibition by these peptides and give our opinion regarding the potential implications of this work with regards to RSV biology, and to the development of antiviral agents targeting RSV and other enveloped viruses.     

Antiviral Efficacy of a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Fusion Inhibitor in a Bovine Model of RSV Infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants. Effective treatment for RSV infection is a significant unmet medical need. While new RSV therapeutics are now in development, there are very few animal models that mimic the pathogenesis of human RSV, making it difficult to evaluate new disease interventions. Experimental infection of Holstein calves with bovine RSV (bRSV) causes a severe respiratory infection that is similar to human RSV infection, providing a relevant model for testing novel therapeutic agents. In this model, viral load is readily detected in nasal secretions by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and cumulative symptom scoring together with histopathology evaluations of infected tissue allow for the assessment of disease severity. The bovine RSV model was used to evaluate the antiviral activity of an RSV fusion inhibitor, GS1, which blocks virus entry by inhibiting the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane. The efficacy of GS1, a close structural analog of GS-5806 that is being developed to treat RSV infection in humans was evaluated in two randomized, blind, placebo-controlled studies in bRSV-infected calves. Intravenous administration of GS1 at 4 mg/kg of body weight/day for 7 days starting 24 h or 72 h postinoculation provided clear therapeutic benefit by reducing the viral load, disease symptom score, respiration rate, and lung pathology associated with bRSV infection. These data support the use of the bovine RSV model for evaluation of experimental therapeutics for treatment of RSV.     

Productive infection of isolated human alveolar macrophages by respiratory syncytial virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of lower respiratory tract disease in children and individuals with cell-mediated immunodeficiencies. Airway epithelial cells may be infected with RSV, but it is unknown whether other cells within the lung permit viral replication. We studied whether human alveolar macrophages supported RSV replication in vitro. Alveolar macrophages exposed to RSV demonstrated expression of RSV fusion gene, which increased in a time-dependent manner and correlated with RSV protein expression. RSV-exposed alveolar macrophages produced and released infectious virus into supernatants for at least 25 d after infection. Viral production per alveolar macrophage declined from 0.053 plaque-forming units (pfu)/cell at 24 h after infection to 0.003 pfu/cell by 10 d after infection and then gradually increased. The capability of alveolar macrophages to support prolonged RSV replication may have a role in the pulmonary response to RSV infection.     

GS-5806 Inhibits a Broad Range of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Clinical Isolates by Blocking the Virus-Cell Fusion Process

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. In addition, RSV causes significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized elderly and immunocompromised patients. Currently, only palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody against the RSV fusion (F) protein, and inhaled ribavirin are approved for the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of RSV, respectively. Therefore, there is a clinical need for safe and effective therapeutic agents for RSV infections. GS-5806, discovered via chemical optimization of a hit from a high-throughput antiviral-screening campaign, selectively inhibits a diverse set of 75 RSV subtype A and B clinical isolates (mean 50% effective concentration [EC₅₀] = 0.43 nM). The compound maintained potency in primary human airway epithelial cells and exhibited low cytotoxicity in human cell lines and primary cell cultures (selectivity > 23,000-fold). Time-of-addition and temperature shift studies demonstrated that GS-5806 does not block RSV attachment to cells but interferes with virus entry. Follow-up experiments showed potent inhibition of RSV F-mediated cell-to-cell fusion. RSV A and B variants resistant to GS-5806, due to mutations in F protein (RSV A, L138F or F140L/N517I, and RSV B, F488L or F488S), were isolated and showed cross-resistance to other RSV fusion inhibitors, such as VP-14637, but remained fully sensitive to palivizumab and ribavirin. In summary, GS-5806 is a potent and selective RSV fusion inhibitor with antiviral activity against a diverse set of RSV clinical isolates. The compound is currently under clinical investigation for the treatment of RSV infection in pediatric, immunocompromised, and elderly patients.     

Generation and Characterization of ALX-0171, a Potent Novel Therapeutic Nanobody for the Treatment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important causative agent of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and elderly individuals. Its fusion (F) protein is critical for virus infection. It is targeted by several investigational antivirals and by palivizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody used prophylactically in infants considered at high risk of severe RSV disease. ALX-0171 is a trimeric Nanobody that binds the antigenic site II of RSV F protein with subnanomolar affinity. ALX-0171 demonstrated in vitro neutralization superior to that of palivizumab against prototypic RSV subtype A and B strains. Moreover, ALX-0171 completely blocked replication to below the limit of detection for 87% of the viruses tested, whereas palivizumab did so for 18% of the viruses tested at a fixed concentration. Importantly, ALX-0171 was highly effective in reducing both nasal and lung RSV titers when delivered prophylactically or therapeutically directly to the lungs of cotton rats. ALX-0171 represents a potent novel antiviral compound with significant potential to treat RSV-mediated disease.     

Antiviral activity of lovastatin against respiratory syncytial virus in vivo and in vitro

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important human pathogen that can cause severe and life-threatening respiratory infections in infants and immunocompromised adults. We have recently shown that the RSV F glycoprotein, which mediates viral fusion, binds to RhoA. One of the steps in RhoA activation involves isoprenylation at the carboxy terminus of the protein by geranylgeranyltransferase. This modification allows RhoA to be attached to phosphatidyl serine on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. Treatment of mice with lovastatin, a drug that inhibits prenylation pathways in the cell by directly inhibiting hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, diminishes RSV but not vaccinia virus replication when administered up to 24 h after RSV infection and decreases virus-induced weight loss and illness in mice. The inhibition of replication is not likely due to the inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis, since gemfibrozil, another cholesterol-lowering agent, did not affect virus replication and serum cholesterol levels were not significantly lowered by lovastatin within the time frame of the experiment. Lovastatin also reduces cell-to-cell fusion in cell culture and eliminates RSV replication in HEp-2 cells. These data indicate that lovastatin, more specific isoprenylation inhibitors, or other pharmacological approaches for preventing RhoA membrane localization should be considered for evaluation as a preventive antiviral therapy for selected groups of patients at high risk for severe RSV disease, such as the institutionalized elderly and bone marrow or lung transplant recipients.     

Protection against Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection by DNA Immunization

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and the elderly and is a continuing challenge for vaccine development. A murine T helper cell (Th) type 2 response associates with enhanced lung pathology, which has been observed in past infant trials using formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine. In this study, we have engineered an optimized plasmid DNA vector expressing the RSV fusion (F) protein (DNA-F). DNA-F was as effective as live RSV in mice at inducing neutralizing antibody and cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses, protection against infection, and high mRNA expression of lung interferon γ after viral challenge. Furthermore, a DNA-F boost could switch a preestablished anti-RSV Th2 response towards a Th1 response. Critical elements for the optimization of the plasmid constructs included expression of a secretory form of the F protein and the presence of the rabbit β-globin intron II sequence upstream of the F-encoding sequence. In addition, anti-F systemic immune response profile could be modulated by the route of DNA-F delivery: intramuscular immunization resulted in balanced responses, whereas intradermal immunization resulted in a Th2 type of response. Thus, DNA-F immunization may provide a novel and promising RSV vaccination strategy.     

Motavizumab for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most important respiratory viral pathogen of infancy. The only unequivocally effective pharmacological compound for the management of RSV infection is palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody against the fusion protein of RSV. Recently, motavizumab, a similar but more potent monoclonal antibody, has been developed and tested against palivizumab. Objective: In this review, we summarize data comparing the safety and efficacy of the two monoclonal antibodies in prevention of RSV infection. Other therapeutic options also are discussed. Methods: We reviewed all published articles listing motavizumab or palivizumab in the title or keywords. Results/conclusion: In a large comparative clinical trial for which peer review is pending, motavizumab proved noninferior to palivizumab for prevention of RSV-related hospital admission in infants with underlying conditions placing them at high risk for hospitalization after RSV infection. In this trial, motavizumab in comparison to palivizumab significantly reduced the severity of illness among those infants hospitalized with RSV infection, as well as the number of outpatient lower respiratory infections caused by RSV. Safety profiles of each of the two compounds were excellent. Based on these data, motavizumab should eventually replace palivizumab in the prevention of RSV infection.     

Oral efficacy of a respiratory syncytial virus inhibitor in rodent models of infection

BMS-433771 is a potent inhibitor of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) replication in vitro. Mechanism of action studies have demonstrated that BMS-433771 halts virus entry through inhibition of F protein-mediated membrane fusion. BMS-433771 also exhibited in vivo efficacy following oral administration in a mouse model of RSV infection (C. Cianci, K. Y. Yu, K. Combrink, N. Sin, B. Pearce, A. Wang, R. Civiello, S. Voss, G. Luo, K. Kadow, E. Genovesi, B. Venables, H. Gulgeze, A. Trehan, J. James, L. Lamb, I. Medina, J. Roach, Z. Yang, L. Zadjura, R. Colonno, J. Clark, N. Meanwell, and M. Krystal, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 48:413-422, 2004). In this report, the in vivo efficacy of BMS-433771 against RSV was further examined in the BALB/c mouse and cotton rat host models of infection. By using the Long strain of RSV, prophylactic efficacy via oral dosing was observed in both animal models. A single oral dose, administered 1 h prior to intranasal RSV inoculation, was as effective against infection as a 4-day b.i.d. dosing regimen in which the first oral dose was given 1 h prior to virus inoculation. Results of dose titration experiments suggested that RSV infection was more sensitive to inhibition by BMS-433771 treatment in the BALB/c mouse host than in the cotton rat. This was reflected by the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis of the efficacy data, where the area under the concentration-time curve required to achieve 50% of the maximum response was approximately 7.5-fold less for mice than for cotton rats. Inhibition of RSV by BMS-433771 in the mouse is the result of F1-mediated inhibition, as shown by the fact that a virus selected for resistance to BMS-433771 in vitro and containing a single amino acid change in the F1 region was also refractory to treatment in the mouse host. BMS-433771 efficacy against RSV infection was also demonstrated for mice that were chemically immunosuppressed by cyclophosphamide treatment, indicating that compound inhibition of the virus did not require an active host immune response.     

Respiratory syncytial virus vaccine: where are we now and what comes next?

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and elderly and to date, there is no safe or effective vaccine against RSV.

Areas Covered: This review provides a roadmap to RSV vaccine development. It is a journey spanning over more than half a century from the initial disappointment with inactivated formalin vaccine to the current advancements in vaccine technology. We highlight the important aspects of RSV structural biology and protective immune response. We include discussion of newer fusion glycoprotein immune targets and current vaccine candidates. We used Pub Med and Medline resources for literature search.

Expert opinion: A resurgence of information on the burden related to RSV infection coupled with the newer understanding of the molecular mechanism of RSV infection has reignited a tremendous activity in RSV vaccine discovery. The vaccine pipeline is diverse and target populations are varied, thus making the goal of a safe and effective RSV vaccine in the future within reach.     

呼吸道合胞病毒F蛋白第168～289氨基酸片段的昆虫细胞表达及其抗原性分析

目的 研究人呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)F基因第546～881碱基编码的融合蛋白(即F蛋白)主要抗原性区域第168～289氨基酸片段的抗原性初步探讨其作为诊断抗原的应用价值.方法 用逆转录(RT)-PCR的方法扩增出RSV Long株F基因546～881 bp片段(F'),将其插入到转移载体质粒pBacPAK9中,获得相应的重组质粒pBacRSV F',与线性杆状病毒BacPAK6 DNA(Bsu36 Ⅰ酶切)共转染Sf9昆虫细胞获得重组病毒BacPAK F',并在昆虫细胞中表达.重组蛋白用Ni2+螫合柱亲和层析纯化,用免疫印迹(Western blot,WB)法检测重组蛋白的抗原活性.并用该方法检测33例急性下呼吸道感染患儿血清特异性抗体,同时用间接免疫荧光法检测患儿的鼻咽分泌物中RSV抗原.对两种方法检测标本的阴性率进行比较.结果 重组病毒BacPAK F'在昆虫细胞中表达相对分子质量约13 000的重组蛋白.纯化后的重组蛋白能与特异性抗RSV抗体结合.WB检测33例急性下呼吸道患儿血清特异性抗体,结果显示阳性11例,阳性率为33.3%,免疫荧光法检测结果阳性9例,阳性率为27.3%,2种检测方法阳性率差异无统计学意义(x2=0.29,P>0.05).结论 纯化后的在昆虫细胞中表达的RSV F基因546～881 bp片段编码的融合蛋白片段具有较强的抗原活性,对RSV感染的快速诊断具有一定的临床应用价值.     

痰热清对呼吸道合胞病毒感染人支气管上皮细胞分泌胸腺基质淋巴细胞生成素作用的体外研究

目的探讨痰热清对体外呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)感染人支气管上皮细胞(NHBE)分泌胸腺基质淋巴细胞生成素(TSLP)的影响。方法用Hep-2细胞扩增病毒,并进行毒力鉴定。建立RSV感染NHBE体外细胞模型。酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)法检测RSV感染NHBE后TSLP水平。将痰热清以不同给药方式(预防给药、直接灭活、治疗给药方式)干预RSV感染NHBE,ELISA法检测TSLP水平变化。结果实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法鉴定细胞模型建立成功。(1)RSV对NHBE分泌TSLP的影响:相同感染时间内(12h、24h、48h、72h、96h、120h),随着感染滴度增加(10TCID50、50TCID50、100TCID50、500TCID50、1000TCID50),各感染组TSLP分泌水平均呈上升趋势,与正常细胞对照组比较差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。相同感染滴度内(10TCID50、50TCID50、100TCID50、500TCID50、1000TCID50),随着感染时间增加(24h、48h、72h、96h、120h),各感染组TSLP分泌水平均呈上升趋势,与12h组比较差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。(2)痰热清对RSV感染NH-BE分泌TSLP的影响:在12h、24h、48h、72h给药时间内,痰热清、利巴韦林的不同给药方式与病毒对照组比较,均下调TSLP水平(P<0.05),以预防给药方式最为明显。预防给药方式下,痰热清组较利巴韦林组下调TSLP的作用更明显(P<0.05)。结论 RSV能诱导NHBE分泌TSLP,痰热清可抑制RSV引起的TSLP分泌增加,以预防方式给药明显,痰热清可在病毒感染的控制中起到重要作用。     

2016-2020年贵阳市老年呼吸道感染住院患者呼吸道合胞病毒流行特征及流感病毒感染临床严重性比较

目的 了解老年人呼吸道感染住院患者呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)感染的流行病学特征,比较RSV感染与流感病毒感染的临床严重性差异,探索影响老年人呼吸道感染住院期间死亡的危险因素。方法 收集2016年1月1日至2020年12月31日贵阳市2家医院收治的60岁以上老年人呼吸道感染住院患者的临床和病原学检测资料。比较RSV感染与流感病毒感染老年人在人口学特征、基础性疾病、临床表现,以及住院时间和住院期间死亡等临床结局上存在的差异,并采用多因素logistic回归模型探索影响老年人呼吸道感染住院期间死亡的危险因素。结果 5 131例60岁以上呼吸道感染住院患者中,RSV检测阳性率为2%,流感病毒检测阳性率为10%。77%(80/104)的RSV感染和63%(312/497)的流感病毒感染集中在每年的11月至次年2月,发病具有明显季节性。与流感病毒感染老年人比较,RSV感染的中位发病年龄(73岁vs. 74岁,P=0.997),ICU收治比例(7%vs. 6%,P=0.822)和住院期间死亡率(6%vs. 3%,P=0.233)差异无统计学意义。但RSV感染的老年人中位住院天数延长(14 d vs. ...     

2019年湖北省武汉市儿童呼吸道合胞病毒感染临床特征及流行病学分析

目的分析2019年湖北省武汉市呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)引起儿童急性呼吸道感染(ARTI)的流行病学特征,总结其临床特点。方法收集2019年因ARTI在武汉儿童医院治疗的患儿鼻咽拭子标本。采用直接免疫荧光法检测样本中的RSV,根据临床资料进行流行病学分析。结果 2019年武汉市ARTI患儿中RSV阳性率为8.41%,不同年龄段患儿检出率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),且RSV的检出率随患儿年龄增加而逐渐降低。男性患儿中的检出率高于女性患儿(P<0.05)。RSV在1-2、12月检出率最高,在5-7月检出率最低。患儿临床表现主要为咳嗽、发热、喘息。部分患儿可出现其他并发症,如肝功能异常、癫痫、心律失常、中耳炎等。RSV与其他呼吸道病毒的混合感染率为2.81%,主要为副流感病毒3型及腺病毒。结论 RSV是武汉市儿童ARTI的常见病原,流行时间为12月至次年2月,患儿年龄越小越容易被感染。RSV易与副流感病毒3型及腺病毒发生混合感染。     

Prevention of serious respiratory syncytial virus-related illness. I: Disease pathogenesis and early attempts at prevention

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was first described 160 years ago but was not officially recognized as a cause of serious illness in children until the late 1950s. It has been estimated that virtually all children have had at least one RSV infection by their second birthday. RSV is responsible for annual disease outbreaks, usually during a defined winter seasonal period that can vary by community and year. RSV is recognized as the leading cause of hospitalization among young children worldwide. Infants of young chronologic age and children with predisposing factors, such as premature birth, pulmonary disease, or congenital heart disease, are most susceptible to serious illness. Unlike other viruses, immunity to RSV infection is incomplete and short lived, and reinfection is common throughout life. Initial attempts to develop a vaccine in the 1960s met with unexpected and tragic results; many children vaccinated with a formalin-inactivated wild-type virus developed serious pulmonary disease upon subsequent natural infection. Numerous other vaccine technologies have since been studied, including vectored approaches, virus-like particles, DNA vaccines, and live attenuated virus vaccine. As of early 2010, only two companies or institutions had RSV vaccine candidates in early clinical trials, and no vaccine is likely to be licensed for marketing in the immediate future.     

Respiratory syncytial virus in blood and marrow transplant recipients

Nurses caring for blood and bone marrow transplant recipients need to understand the effects that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection can have on transplant recipients, family members, and healthcare providers. With knowledge about the virulence and transmission of RSV, nurses are in a position to educate patients and family, reduce nosocomial spread of the infection, and influence clinical practice. By recognizing specific risk factors for infection, nurses can act as gatekeepers who identify candidates to screen and enhance early detection of infection. Nurses need to possess knowledge of early detection, implement clinical management strategies and precautions, and optimize delivery of appropriate therapy while maintaining a safe environment for all people involved. This article reviews RSV's clinical risk factors, transmission, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and impact on transplant recipients and candidates.     

A novel fluorescence intensity screening assay identifies new low-molecular-weight inhibitors of the gp41 coiled-coil domain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

A metallopeptide-based fluorescence assay has been designed for the detection of small-molecule inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp41, the viral protein involved in membrane fusion. The assay involves two peptides representing the inner N-terminal-heptad-repeat (HR1) coiled coil and the outer C-terminal-heptad-repeat (HR2) helical domains of the gp41 six-helix bundle which forms prior to fusion. The two peptides span a hydrophobic pocket previously defined in the literature. The HR1 peptide is modified with a metal-ligated dye complex, which maintains structural integrity and permits association with a fluorophore-labeled HR2 peptide to be followed by fluorescence quenching. Compounds able to disrupt six-helix bundle formation can act as fusion inhibitors, and we show that they can be detected in the assay from an increase in the fluorescence that is correlated with the potency of the compound. Assay optimization and validation have resulted in a simple quantitative competitive inhibition assay for fusion inhibitors that bind in the hydrophobic pocket. The assay has an assay quality factor (Z') of 0.88 and can rank order inhibitors at 10 microM concentration with K(i)s in the range of 0.2 microM to 30 microM, an ideal range for drug discovery. Screening of a small peptidomimetic library has yielded three new low-molecular-weight gp41 inhibitors. In vitro syncytium inhibition assays confirmed that the compounds inhibited cell-cell fusion in the low micromolar range. These lead compounds provide a new molecular scaffold for the development of fusion inhibitors.     

The use of a neonatal mouse model to study respiratory syncytial virus infections

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is the most significant cause of viral death in infants worldwide. The significant morbidity and mortality associated with this disease underscores the urgent need for the development of an RSV vaccine. The development of an RSV vaccine has been hampered by our limited understanding of the human host immune system, which plays a significant role in RSV pathogenesis, susceptibility and vaccine efficacy. As a result, animal models have been developed to better understand the mechanisms by which RSV causes disease. Within the past few years, a revolutionary variation on these animal models has emerged – age at time of initial infection – and early studies in neonatal mice (aged <7 days at time of initial infection) indicate the validity of this model to understand RSV infection in infants. This article reviews available information on current murine and emerging neonatal mouse RSV models.