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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.03.02.641072

Rational design of next-generation filovirus vaccines with glycoprotein stabilization, nanoparticle display, and glycan modification

Lee, Y.-Z.·Zhang, Y.-N.·Newby, M. L.·Ward, G.·Gomes, K. B.·Auclair, S.·DesRoberts, C.·Allen, J.·Ward, A. D.·Stanfield, R.·He, L.·Crispin, M.·Wilson, I. A.·Zhu, J.
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Abstract

Filoviruses pose a significant threat to human health due to frequent outbreaks and high mortality. Although two vector-based vaccines are available for Ebola virus, a broadly protective filovirus vaccine remains elusive. Here, we evaluate a general strategy for stabilizing glycoprotein (GP) structures from Ebola, Sudan, and Bundibugyo orthoebolaviruses and Ravn orthomarburgvirus. A 3.2 [A] crystal structure provides atomic-level details of the redesigned Ebola virus GP, while cryo-electron microscopy reveals how a pan-orthoebolavirus neutralizing antibody targets a conserved site on the stabilized Sudan virus GP (3.13 [A] resolution), along with a low-resolution model of antibody-bound Ravn virus GP. A self-assembling protein nanoparticle (SApNP), I3-01v9, is redesigned at the N terminus to enable optimal surface display of filovirus GP trimers. Following detailed in vitro characterization, we examine the lymph node dynamics of Sudan virus GP and GP-presenting SApNPs in mice. Compared with the soluble trimer, SApNPs exhibit [~]112-fold longer retention in lymph node follicles, up to 28-fold greater presentation on follicular dendritic cell dendrites, and up to 3-fold stronger germinal center reactions. Functional antibody responses induced by filovirus GP trimers and SApNPs bearing wild-type and modified glycans are assessed in mice. This study provides a foundation for next-generation filovirus vaccine development. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARYFilovirus glycoproteins and nanoparticles were rationally designed and characterized in vitro and in vivo to aid filovirus vaccine development.

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Lee, Y.-Z., Zhang, Y.-N., Newby, M. L., Ward, G., Gomes, K. B., Auclair, S., DesRoberts, C., Allen, J., Ward, A. D., Stanfield, R., He, L., Crispin, M., Wilson, I. A., Zhu, J.. 2025-03-02. Rational design of next-generation filovirus vaccines with glycoprotein stabilization, nanoparticle display, and glycan modification. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.03.02.641072

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