Progress on Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Development and Evaluation Methods

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a significant global health threat, especially to infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. This review comprehensively explores the progress in RSV vaccine development, the immune evaluation methods, and immunological surrogate. The RSV fusio...

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Main Authors: Lie Deng, Hongjie Cao, Guichang Li, Kaiwen Zhou, Zihan Fu, Jiaying Zhong, Zhongfang Wang, Xiaoyun Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Vaccines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/3/304
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author Lie Deng
Hongjie Cao
Guichang Li
Kaiwen Zhou
Zihan Fu
Jiaying Zhong
Zhongfang Wang
Xiaoyun Yang
author_facet Lie Deng
Hongjie Cao
Guichang Li
Kaiwen Zhou
Zihan Fu
Jiaying Zhong
Zhongfang Wang
Xiaoyun Yang
author_sort Lie Deng
collection DOAJ
description Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a significant global health threat, especially to infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. This review comprehensively explores the progress in RSV vaccine development, the immune evaluation methods, and immunological surrogate. The RSV fusion (F) protein, a primary target for vaccine development, has been engineered in prefusion conformation to elicit potent neutralizing antibodies, while the attachment (G) glycoprotein and other immunogens are also being explored to broaden immune responses. Advances in diverse vaccine platforms, ranging from live attenuated and protein subunit vaccines to cutting-edge mRNA- and nanoparticle-based formulations, highlight the field’s progress, yet challenges in balancing safety, immunogenicity, and durability persist. Central to these efforts is the identification and validation of immunological surrogates, which may serve as critical benchmarks for vaccine efficacy. Neutralizing antibody titers, multifunctional T cell responses, and B cell memory have emerged as key correlates of protection. However, the feasibility of these surrogates depends on their ability to predict clinical outcomes across diverse populations and settings. While neutralizing antibodies block the virus directly, T cell responses are essential for clearing infected cells and preventing severe disease, and B cell memory ensures long-term immunity. Integrating these immunological markers into a cohesive framework requires standardized assays, robust clinical validation, and an in-depth understanding of RSV-induced immune response.
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spelling doaj-art-3a33fcd215a44fdaa2be8ce9ba321d872025-08-20T01:50:07ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2025-03-0113330410.3390/vaccines13030304Progress on Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Development and Evaluation MethodsLie Deng0Hongjie Cao1Guichang Li2Kaiwen Zhou3Zihan Fu4Jiaying Zhong5Zhongfang Wang6Xiaoyun Yang7Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou 510320, ChinaGuangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou 510320, ChinaGuangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou 510320, ChinaGuangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou 510320, ChinaGuangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou 510320, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510180, ChinaGuangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou 510320, ChinaGuangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou 510320, ChinaRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a significant global health threat, especially to infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. This review comprehensively explores the progress in RSV vaccine development, the immune evaluation methods, and immunological surrogate. The RSV fusion (F) protein, a primary target for vaccine development, has been engineered in prefusion conformation to elicit potent neutralizing antibodies, while the attachment (G) glycoprotein and other immunogens are also being explored to broaden immune responses. Advances in diverse vaccine platforms, ranging from live attenuated and protein subunit vaccines to cutting-edge mRNA- and nanoparticle-based formulations, highlight the field’s progress, yet challenges in balancing safety, immunogenicity, and durability persist. Central to these efforts is the identification and validation of immunological surrogates, which may serve as critical benchmarks for vaccine efficacy. Neutralizing antibody titers, multifunctional T cell responses, and B cell memory have emerged as key correlates of protection. However, the feasibility of these surrogates depends on their ability to predict clinical outcomes across diverse populations and settings. While neutralizing antibodies block the virus directly, T cell responses are essential for clearing infected cells and preventing severe disease, and B cell memory ensures long-term immunity. Integrating these immunological markers into a cohesive framework requires standardized assays, robust clinical validation, and an in-depth understanding of RSV-induced immune response.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/3/304respiratory syncytial virusvaccinesvaccine evaluationimmunological surrogates
spellingShingle Lie Deng
Hongjie Cao
Guichang Li
Kaiwen Zhou
Zihan Fu
Jiaying Zhong
Zhongfang Wang
Xiaoyun Yang
Progress on Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Development and Evaluation Methods
Vaccines
respiratory syncytial virus
vaccines
vaccine evaluation
immunological surrogates
title Progress on Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Development and Evaluation Methods
title_full Progress on Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Development and Evaluation Methods
title_fullStr Progress on Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Development and Evaluation Methods
title_full_unstemmed Progress on Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Development and Evaluation Methods
title_short Progress on Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Development and Evaluation Methods
title_sort progress on respiratory syncytial virus vaccine development and evaluation methods
topic respiratory syncytial virus
vaccines
vaccine evaluation
immunological surrogates
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/3/304
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AT kaiwenzhou progressonrespiratorysyncytialvirusvaccinedevelopmentandevaluationmethods
AT zihanfu progressonrespiratorysyncytialvirusvaccinedevelopmentandevaluationmethods
AT jiayingzhong progressonrespiratorysyncytialvirusvaccinedevelopmentandevaluationmethods
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