Poliovirus serotype antigens (PV antigens) (PV antigens)

Poliovirus serotype antigens are the structural proteins that form the icosahedral capsid of the poliovirus, a member of the Picornaviridae family. The capsid is composed of three distinct serotypes—Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3—each consisting of 60 copies of four structural proteins: VP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4 (UniProt, 2024). These antigens are the primary targets for neutralizing antibodies, which prevent the virus from attaching to the human poliovirus receptor (CD155) and entering host cells (WHO, 2022). In the pharmaceutical landscape, these antigens are the active components of the Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV) and the Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV), which have been central to the global effort to eradicate poliomyelitis (CDC, 2023). Additionally, the capsid proteins, particularly VP1, are targets for experimental antiviral drugs like pocapavir, which inhibit viral uncoating by binding to a specific hydrophobic pocket (PubMed, 2014). Because immunity to one serotype does not provide significant protection against the others, trivalent vaccines containing antigens from all three types are typically required for comprehensive protection. The management of these antigens through vaccination has led to a 99% reduction in global polio cases since 1988 (WHO, 2022).

Other names

Poliovirus capsid proteinsPV1, PV2, and PV3 antigensVP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4 proteinsPoliovirus structural proteins

Vaccines: Induction of neutralizing antibodies that bind to the viral capsid and block interaction with the host cell receptor CD155 (CDC, 2023). Antivirals: Binding to the hydrophobic pocket of the VP1 capsid protein to prevent the conformational changes required for viral uncoating and RNA release (Thibaut et al., 2012).