Antiviral strategies against human metapneumovirus: Targeting the fusion protein

Human metapneumoviruses have emerged in the past decades as an important global pathogen that causes severe upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Children under the age of 2, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals are more susceptible to HMPV infection than the general population due...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Antiviral research 2022-11, Vol.207, p.105405-105405, Article 105405
Main Authors: Van Den Bergh, Annelies, Bailly, Benjamin, Guillon, Patrice, von Itzstein, Mark, Dirr, Larissa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Drug discovery
Fusion protein
Human metapneumovirus
Inhibitor design
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Summary:Human metapneumoviruses have emerged in the past decades as an important global pathogen that causes severe upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Children under the age of 2, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals are more susceptible to HMPV infection than the general population due to their suboptimal immune system. Despite the recent discovery of HMPV as a novel important respiratory virus, reports have rapidly described its epidemiology, biology, and pathogenesis. However, progress is still to be made in the development of vaccines and drugs against HMPV infection as none are currently available. Herein, we discuss the importance of HMPV and review the reported strategies for anti-HMPV drug candidates. We also present the fusion protein as a promising antiviral drug target due to its multiple roles in the HMPV lifecycle. This key viral protein has previously been targeted by a range of inhibitors, which will be discussed as they represent opportunities for future drug design. •Human metapneumovirus is an important global cause for respiratory tract infections in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised people.•There are currently neither approved vaccines nor specific antiviral treatments to prevent or treat HMPV infections.•Fusion (F) protein plays an essential role in the HMPV lifecycle, making it an attractive antiviral drug target.•Novel therapeutic strategies against HMPV have focused on broad-spectrum antiviral drug repurposing and HMPV F-direct strategies.
ISSN:0166-3542
1872-9096
DOI:10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105405