# Prototype strategy for vaccines and antibodies to rubulaviruses

> **NIH NIH U19** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $5,674,171

## Abstract

Project 2: Abstract
Rubulaviruses are respiratory pathogens with a high level of transmissibility (R0 = 4-7). MuV is an ideal prototype
pathogen to study paramyxoviruses because we have a human vaccine that elicits protective humoral immunity
directed to undefined target(s). P2-Rubulaviruses dissects the structure and functions of the F and HN
glycoproteins in entry and as antigens. The goal is to identify a general strategy for stabilization of the pre-fusion
form of the F glycoprotein and move this and the HN glycoprotein forward, either individually or in complex as
vaccine candidates using established in vivo models. In Aim 1 rational antigen design builds upon existing head
domain structure of HN adding regions of the stalk and generates new structures of stabilized, pre-fusion F
glycoprotein. This is augmented by cryoelectron tomography (Cryo-ET) to study the interactions of the native
F/HN complex on the virion. The immunogenicity of individual and glycoprotein pairs will be assessed in vivo to
iteratively inform design, and the results tested in divergent rubulaviruses. In Aim 2 we isolate single B cells from
vaccines and characterize the mAbs to further inform immunogen design. The mechanism of action of the mAbs
will be assessed in vitro using a combination of assays including virus-cell and cell-cell fusion. Their individual
and synergistic activities will be determined and ability to protect animals from infection and disease evaluated
in a cotton rat respiratory system model. Genetic barriers to escape from neutralization will be defined to reveal
how rapidly resistance mutations are acquired and their location(s) in the glycoproteins. Extension of this work
by immunization of a humanized mouse with bat mumps (BatMuV) will extend the findings to related
rubulaviruses considered to represent “pre-spillover” pathogens poised with pandemic potential. Lead
immunogens are evaluated in Aim 3 for in vivo for efficacy as soluble-adjuvated proteins, mRNAs and within the
context of a replication-competent rVSV-expressing both glycoproteins. Identification of correlates of protection
will facilitate iterative analysis of next generation immunogens and may identify an optimal platform. The
P2-Rubulaviruses project has exceptionally strong synergy with P1-Respiroviruses which will rapidly enable
go/no-go decision making and contribute to down-selection and prioritization of mAbs and immunogens for a
pathway to industrial translation. Similarly, the cross-talk between the data obtained from these two projects
using the three vaccine platforms will be useful to drive existing and develop new collaborations with partners in
industry.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10863698
- **Project number:** 1U19AI181984-01
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** William Paul Duprex
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $5,674,171
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-11 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10863698

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10863698, Prototype strategy for vaccines and antibodies to rubulaviruses (1U19AI181984-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10863698. Licensed CC0.

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