Rational Design of an Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine Targeting the Receptor-Binding Site

Masaru Kanekiyo, Wei Bu, M. Gordon Joyce, Geng Meng, James R.R. Whittle, Ulrich Baxa, Takuya Yamamoto, Sandeep Narpala, John Paul Todd, Srinivas S. Rao, Adrian B. McDermott, Richard A. Koup, Michael G. Rossmann, John R. Mascola, Barney S. Graham, Jeffrey I. Cohen, Gary J. Nabel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

123 Scopus citations

Abstract

Summary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) represents a major global health problem. Though it is associated with infectious mononucleosis and ∼200,000 cancers annually worldwide, a vaccine is not available. The major target of immunity is EBV glycoprotein 350/220 (gp350) that mediates attachment to B cells through complement receptor 2 (CR2/CD21). Here, we created self-assembling nanoparticles that displayed different domains of gp350 in a symmetric array. By focusing presentation of the CR2-binding domain on nanoparticles, potent neutralizing antibodies were elicited in mice and non-human primates. The structurally designed nanoparticle vaccine increased neutralization 10- to 100-fold compared to soluble gp350 by targeting a functionally conserved site of vulnerability, improving vaccine-induced protection in a mouse model. This rational approach to EBV vaccine design elicited potent neutralizing antibody responses by arrayed presentation of a conserved viral entry domain, a strategy that can be applied to other viruses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1090-1100
Number of pages11
JournalCell
Volume162
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 27 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Rational Design of an Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine Targeting the Receptor-Binding Site'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this