Viral hemorrhagic fever viral antigens (VHF antigens)

Viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) viral antigens represent a diverse group of proteins from several viral families, including Filoviridae (e.g., Ebola, Marburg), Arenaviridae (e.g., Lassa), Bunyaviridae (e.g., Crimean-Congo), and Flaviviridae (e.g., Dengue, Yellow Fever) (CDC, 2021). These antigens primarily include surface glycoproteins (GP), which are responsible for host cell receptor binding and membrane fusion, as well as internal nucleoproteins (NP) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (L proteins) required for viral replication and assembly (Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2020). In therapeutic development, the surface glycoproteins are the most significant targets for monoclonal antibodies, such as Ansuvimab and the Atoltivimab/Maformivimab/Odesivimab cocktail, which neutralize the virus by blocking entry into host cells (FDA, 2020). Additionally, these antigens are the basis for vaccine candidates, such as the recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus-Zaire Ebola virus (rVSV-ZEBOV) vaccine, which expresses the Ebola glycoprotein to induce protective immunity (WHO, 2023). However, the high mutation rate of these RNA viruses often leads to antigenic drift, potentially resulting in therapeutic escape and reduced vaccine efficacy (PubMed, 2021). Furthermore, the phenomenon of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) remains a critical safety concern, particularly for flavivirus antigens, where sub-neutralizing antibodies may facilitate viral uptake into Fc-receptor-bearing cells, exacerbating the disease (StatPearls, 2023).

Other names

VHF viral proteinsHemorrhagic fever virus antigensFilovirus antigensArenavirus antigensBunyavirus antigensFlavivirus antigensViral surface glycoproteinsViral nucleoproteins

Monoclonal antibodies bind to surface glycoproteins to neutralize viral entry and fusion; antiviral small molecules inhibit the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to prevent genome replication; vaccines present these antigens to the immune system to elicit neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses.