Advances in understanding RSV glycoproteins: Insights into viral entry and implications for vaccines and therapeutic development

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes a significant number of deaths in newborns annually due to respiratory infections. Since its first isolation in 1955, great progress has been made in the development of related vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. Currently, two RSV vaccines and two monoclonal antibodies have been approved for marketing. Understanding the structure, function, and mechanism of RSV glycoproteins interaction with their receptors involved in its entry is of great significance for the development of vaccines and therapeutic drugs. In this review, we will introduce the substantial progress made in the understanding of the structure of RSV glycoproteins, the receptors they bind with, and the process of RSV entry. Progress made in developing vaccines and neutralizing antibodies which benefit from these studies will also be briefly discussed. Finally, we will outline the unresolved issues and controversies in RSV glycoprotein and entry mechanism research, propose some possible approaches to address these issues, and provide insights into future drug and vaccine development.