Monkeypox virus and orthopoxvirus surface antigens (MPXV/OPXV surface antigens)

Monkeypox virus and orthopoxvirus surface antigens are a group of proteins located on the viral envelope that are critical for the virus's life cycle, including attachment, fusion, and entry into host cells (CDC, 2024). Key proteins in this group include L1, A27, A33, and B5, which are highly conserved across the Orthopoxvirus genus, including Variola virus and Vaccinia virus (UniProt, 2024). These antigens are the primary targets for the host immune response and are the basis for modern vaccine development, such as JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 (FDA, 2023). Additionally, therapeutic interventions like Tecovirimat target specific envelope-associated proteins like VP37 to inhibit the formation of extracellular enveloped viruses, thereby preventing the spread of the virus within the host (PubMed, 2022). Understanding these surface antigens is essential for developing neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and diagnostic assays to manage Mpox outbreaks. Their high degree of conservation makes them ideal targets for broad-spectrum orthopoxvirus countermeasures.

Other names

Orthopoxvirus envelope proteinsPoxvirus surface proteinsMonkeypox virus surface glycoproteinsMPXV envelope antigensMature virion (MV) proteinsExtracellular enveloped virion (EEV) proteins

Inhibition of the orthopoxvirus VP37 envelope-wrapping protein to prevent the formation of egress-competent extracellular virions, and antibody-mediated neutralization of surface glycoproteins to block viral attachment and entry into host cells.