Enterovirus A71 capsid conformational epitopes (EV-A71 capsid epitopes)

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) capsid conformational epitopes are complex three-dimensional structures on the viral surface formed by the assembly of structural proteins VP1, VP2, and VP3 [Scientific Reports, 2021; ResearchGate, 2016]. These epitopes serve as the primary targets for neutralizing antibodies and are the basis for the protective immunity elicited by inactivated EV-A71 vaccines [NIH, 2023]. Biologically, these regions are critical for viral attachment to host cell receptors, such as scavenger receptor class B2 (SCARB2) and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), and they undergo significant structural rearrangements during the uncoating process to facilitate genome release [NIH, 2024; NIH, 2017]. EV-A71 is a major etiological agent of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), which can progress to severe neurological complications including brainstem encephalitis and acute flaccid paralysis [NIH, 2017; ResearchGate, 2024]. Therapeutic interventions targeting these epitopes include vaccines and experimental small-molecule capsid inhibitors like pleconaril and pocapavir, which stabilize the capsid to prevent infection [NIH, 2021; MDPI, 2022]. However, the high mutation rate of EV-A71 allows for the emergence of antigenic variants and escape mutants, posing a significant challenge for long-term vaccine efficacy and drug development [ASM, 2015; NIH, 2021].

Other names

EV-A71 antigenic determinantsEV-A71 neutralizing epitopesEnterovirus 71 capsid surface epitopesEV71 conformational epitopesEnterovirus A71 capsid

Neutralization of viral infectivity by blocking receptor binding, inhibition of viral uncoating through capsid stabilization, and prevention of viral attachment to host cells [NIH, 2021; MDPI, 2022].