Intervention Strategies for Seasonal and Emerging Respiratory Viruses with Drugs and Vaccines Targeting Viral Surface Glycoproteins

Abstract

Vaccines and therapeutics targeting viral surface glycoproteins are a major component of disease prevention for respiratory viral diseases. Over the years, vaccines have proven to be the most successful intervention for preventing disease. Technological advances in vaccine platforms that focus on viral surface glycoproteins have provided solutions for current and emerging pathogens like SARS-CoV-2, and our understanding of the structural basis for antibody neutralization is guiding the selection of other vaccine targets for respiratory viruses like RSV. This review discusses the role of viral surface glycoproteins in disease intervention approaches.

Repurposing Probenecid to Inhibit SARS-CoV-2, Influenza Virus, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Replication

“…Although vaccines are available for CoV2 and flu, there is a paucity of effective antiviral drugs. For RSV, there is no vaccine available, and therapeutic treatments are very limited [ 24 , 25 ]. Moreover, there are few preventive or therapeutic interventions available for respiratory viruses.…”

Novel Vaccines and Drugs That Target the Surface Glycoproteins of Influenza Viruses, RSV, Parainfluenza Viruses, and SARS-CoV-2

“…The review article by Tripp and Stambas [2] provides a general overview of vaccines being developed against all of these respiratory viruses, including influenza viruses. The review by Narkhede et al [1] describes recent advances in computational structure-based design of glycoprotein-focused vaccines, including the influenza HA protein.…”

“…Tripp and Stambas [2] also provide a review of novel drugs against respiratory viruses. These include virus entry inhibitors, protease and transcriptase inhibitors, and virus particleformation inhibitors.…”

Cellular Immunotherapy and the Lung

“…Although these treatments are proven to have clinical benefits, there are very few that have spectrums of activity comparable to the antibacterial agents, penicillin or sulfa [48]. Additionally, a major concern is that it is not always gauranteed that infection with RNA viruses will lead to long-lasting protection against reinfection [49]. A shortage of effective vaccines and antiviral drugs is evident, while CIs could be considered a new feasible option to enhance the efficacy of treatments.…”