Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in the very young. The RSV fusion protein (F) is essential for virus entry because it mediates viral and host membrane fusion. During this fusion process F is converted from a metastable prefusion conformation into an energetically favored postfusion state. Antibodies that target F can prevent viral entry and reduce disease caused by RSV. During recent years, many prefusion F-specific antibodies have been described. These antibodies typically have stronger RSV-neutralizing activity compared to those that also bind F in the postfusion conformation. Here, we describe how F-specific antibodies protect against RSV and why specifically targeting prefusion F could have great clinical potential.

人类呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）是很小的时候下呼吸道感染的主要原因。RSV融合蛋白（F）对于病毒进入至关重要，因为它介导病毒和宿主膜融合。在该融合过程中，F从亚稳的融合前构象转变为能量有利的融合后状态。靶向F的抗体可以防止病毒进入并减少由RSV引起的疾病。近年来，已经描述了许多融合前F特异性抗体。与在融合后构象中也结合F的抗体相比，这些抗体通常具有更强的RSV中和活性。在这里，我们描述了F特异性抗体如何针对RSV进行保护，以及为什么专门针对融合前F可能具有巨大的临床潜力。