Alphaviruses utilize a broad spectrum of cellular factors for efficient formation and function of replication complexes (RCs). Our data demonstrate for the first time that the hypervariable domain (HVD) of chikungunya virus nonstructural protein 3 (nsP3) is intrinsically disordered. It binds at least 3 families of cellular proteins, which play an indispensable role in viral RNA replication. The proteins of each family demonstrate functional redundancy. We provide a detailed map of the binding sites on CHIKV nsP3 HVD and show that mutations in these sites or the replacement of CHIKV HVD by heterologous HVD change cell specificity of viral replication. Such manipulations with alphavirus HVDs open an opportunity for development of new irreversibly attenuated vaccine candidates. To date, the disordered protein fragments have been identified in the nonstructural proteins of many other viruses. They may also interact with a variety of cellular factors that determine critical aspects of virus-host interactions.

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are attractive as a vaccine concept. For human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), VLP assembly is poorly understood and appears inefficient. Hence, hRSV antigens are often incorporated into foreign VLP systems to generate anti-RSV vaccine candidates. To better understand the assembly, and ultimately to enable efficient production, of authentic hRSV VLPs, we examined the associated requirements and mechanisms. In a previous analysis in HEp-2 cells, the nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), matrix protein (M), and fusion protein (F) were required for formation of filamentous VLPs, which, similar to those of wild-type virus, were associated with the cell surface. Using fluorescence and electron microscopy combined with immunogold labeling, we examined the surfaces of transfected HEp-2 cells and further dissected the process of filamentous VLP formation. Our results show that N is not required. Coexpression of P plus M plus F, but not P plus M, M plus F, or P plus F, induced both viral protein coalescence and formation of filamentous VLPs that resembled wild-type virions. Despite suboptimal coalescence in the absence of P, the M and F proteins, when coexpressed, formed cell surface-associated filaments with abnormal morphology, appearing longer and thinner than wild-type virions. For F, only the carboxy terminus (Fstem) was required, and addition of foreign protein sequences to Fstem allowed incorporation into VLPs. Together, the data show that P, M, and the F carboxy terminus are sufficient for robust viral protein coalescence and filamentous VLP formation and suggest that M-F interaction drives viral filament formation, with P acting as a type of cofactor facilitating the process and exerting control over particle morphology. IMPORTANCE hRSV is responsible for >100,000 deaths in children worldwide, and a vaccine is not available. Among the potential anti-hRSV approaches are virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines, which, based on resemblance to virus or viral components, can induce protective immunity. For hRSV, few reports are available concerning authentic VLP production or testing, in large part because VLP production is inefficient and the mechanisms underlying particle assembly are poorly understood. Here, we took advantage of the cell-associated nature of RSV particles and used high-resolution microscopy analyses to examine the viral proteins required for formation of wild-type-virus-resembling VLPs, the contributions of these proteins to morphology, and the domains involved in incorporation of the antigenically important viral F protein. The results provide new insights that will facilitate future production of hRSV VLPs with defined shapes and compositions and may translate into improved manufacture of live-attenuated hRSV vaccines.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has illustrated the critical need for effective prophylactic vaccination to prevent the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Intranasal vaccination is an attractive approach for preventing COVID-19 as the nasal mucosa is the site of initial SARS-CoV-2 entry and viral replication prior to aspiration into the lungs. We previously demonstrated that a single intranasal administration of a candidate adenovirus type 5-vectored vaccine encoding the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (AdCOVID) induced robust immunity in both the airway mucosa and periphery, and completely protected K18-hACE2 mice from lethal SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Here we show that a single intranasal administration of AdCOVID limits viral replication in the nasal cavity of K18-hACE2 mice. AdCOVID also induces sterilizing immunity in the lungs of mice as reflected by the absence of infectious virus. Finally, AdCOVID prevents SARS-CoV-2 induced pathological damage in the lungs of mice. These data show that AdCOVID not only limits viral replication in the respiratory tract, but it also prevents virus-induced inflammation and immunopathology following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Hypervariable domains (HVDs) of alphavirus nsP3 proteins recruit host proteins into viral replication complexes. The sets of HVD-binding host factors are specific for each alphavirus, and we have previously identified those specific for EEEV. The results of this study demonstrate that the deletions of the binding sites of the G3BP and FXR protein families in the nsP3 HVD of EEEV make the virus avirulent for mice. Mutations in the nuclear localization signal in EEEV capsid protein have an additional negative effect on viral replication in vivo . Despite the inability to cause a detectable disease, the double HVD and triple HVD/capsid mutants induce high levels of neutralizing antibodies. Single immunization protects mice against infection with the highly pathogenic North American strain of EEEV. High safety, the inability to revert to wild-type phenotype, and high immunogenicity make the designed mutants attractive vaccine candidates for EEEV infection.