Enterovirus 71 viral capsid (EV71 capsid)

The Enterovirus 71 (EV71) viral capsid is the external protein shell of the virus, composed of 60 copies each of the structural proteins VP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4 (Plevka et al., 2012, Science). It is responsible for protecting the viral RNA genome and facilitating infection by binding to host cell receptors such as Scavenger Receptor Class B Member 2 (SCARB2) and P-selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1 (PSGL-1) (Yamayoshi et al., 2009, Nature Medicine). EV71 is a major cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and can lead to severe, potentially fatal neurological and systemic complications in young children (Zhu et al., 2014, NEJM). The capsid serves as the primary target for the host immune system; vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibodies bind to specific epitopes on the capsid surface to prevent viral entry or uncoating (Mao et al., 2016, Expert Review of Vaccines). Current preventive strategies rely on inactivated whole-virus vaccines that induce a robust neutralizing antibody response against these capsid proteins to provide protection against HFMD (Li et al., 2014, NEJM). These vaccines have demonstrated high efficacy and a favorable safety profile in large-scale clinical trials, although monitoring for potential antibody-dependent enhancement remains a consideration in enterovirus research (Guan et al., 2020, Vaccines).

Other names

EV-A71 capsidEnterovirus A71 structural proteinsEV71 VP1-VP4 proteinsEnterovirus 71 capsid protein

Neutralization of viral infectivity by blocking attachment to host receptors or inhibiting viral uncoating.