Patent ID: 11723968

Abstract:
The present invention describes specific engineering of the hantavirus spike proteins with modifications to stabilize (Gn/Gc)n heterodimer contacts and/or Gc homodimer contacts and/or Gn/Gn oligomer contacts on the spike with the purpose of using them as immunogens in next-generation vaccine design. Said spike proteins have been covalently stabilized by at least one disulphide inter-chain bond between Gn/Gc heterodimers and/or between Gc homodimers and/or between Gn homo-oligomers as they are presented at the surface of infectious virions. It also involves spike stabilization by introduction of cavity-filling amino acids with a bulky side chain at the above-mentioned contacts. Said spike proteins can be soluble Gn/Gc ectodomains in solution and/or incorporated as (Gn/Gc)n hetero-oligomers onto virus-like particles (VLPs) and/or used for pseudotyping virus vectors and/or form part of a stabilized recombinant virus, wherein said spike proteins can be used to select ligands and/or can be used for preventing or treating infections by one or more hantaviruses.