Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook Instagram Threads
    Global BiodefenseGlobal Biodefense
    Subscribe
    • Featured News
    • Funding
    • Directory
    • Jobs
    • Events
    Global BiodefenseGlobal Biodefense
    Biosurveillance

    MERS-CoV Less Virulent During Outbreak?

    By Global Biodefense StaffMarch 7, 2016
    MERS CoV Coronavirus
    Share
    Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Email

    A study published last week in mBio suggests that the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) develops mutations that make the virus less virulent during an outbreak rather than more virulent, having implications on vaccine development strategies.

    In the new study, investigators isolated 13 new viral genomes from 14 infected patients with MERS treated during the outbreak. They found that 12 of the genomes had two specific point mutations (I529T and D510G mutations) in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral spike protein.

    Further analysis showed that the acquired mutations impaired viral fitness and virulence, rather than making the virus more virulent. The unexpected findings suggest that MERS-CoV adaptation during human-to-human spread may be driven by host immunological pressure such as neutralizing antibodies, resulting in reduced affinity to the host receptor.

    “Strikingly, both mutations resulted in reduced affinity of RBD to human CD26 compared to wild-type RBD,” explained Nam Hyuk Cho, PhD, principal investigator of the new study and a faculty member at the Seoul National University College of Medicine in Korea. “This is an interesting strategy of coronavirus evolution to survive in nature and live together with the new host. The virus may tune down its power to attack for the sake of longer survival in the new host.”

    Currently, most vaccine trials for MERS prevention are using the spike antigen to generate effective neutralizing antibodies against it. “Strategies for vaccine development also need to consider the chance of emergence of neutralizing antibody-escape mutants,” said Cho. “Vaccines for MERS need to target the more stable and conserved region of the spike.”

    Coronavirus Emerging Threats MERS-CoV Vaccine News
    Share. Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleAnti-Bacterial Fabrics for Fight Against Superbugs
    Next Article State Laws Boosting Healthcare Worker Flu Vaccination Rates

    Related Stories

    Jurata Thin Film and CastleVax Awarded Grant to Advance Thermostabilized COVID-19 Booster

    September 20, 2023

    The Basics on the Nipah Virus Outbreak in India

    September 19, 2023

    Mount Sinai to Lead Development of Pan-Coronavirus Vaccine Under New Federal Grant

    September 17, 2023

    NIAID Seeks to Improve Computational Models of Influenza Immunity

    September 15, 2023
    News Scan

    Biodefense Headlines – 19 September 2023

    News Scan September 19, 2023

    News highlights on health security threats and countermeasures curated by Global Biodefense This week’s selections include a global survey of gain-of-function research; funding of an mRNA mpox vaccine; Nipah virus outbreak in India; field detection of threat agents with acoustic…

    Upcoming Events

    Oct 3
    Virtual Event Virtual Event
    October 3 - October 5

    OneLab Summit 2023

    Oct 3
    Virtual Event Virtual Event
    12:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT

    Public-Private Partnerships to Distribute, Dispense, and Administer Medical Countermeasures

    Oct 4
    Virtual Event Virtual Event
    10:00 am - 2:00 pm EDT

    Tunneling Nanotubes and Intracellular Protrusions Workshop

    Oct 12
    Virtual Event Virtual Event
    12:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT

    Public-Private Partnerships for Acceptance and Uptake of Medical Countermeasures

    View Calendar

    Subscribe to Global Biodefense

    Get the latest news on pathogens and preparedness

    © 2023 Stemar Media Group LLC
    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Subscribe

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are okay with it.OkPrivacy policy