Glycoprotein G-Based Vaccines for Nipah Virus: Epidemiology, Molecular Insights, Benefits, and Limitations

Trends in Immunotherapy

Review Article

Glycoprotein G-Based Vaccines for Nipah Virus: Epidemiology, Molecular Insights, Benefits, and Limitations

Downloads

https://doi.org/10.54963/ti.v9i4.1011
Mariia, M., Qasim, I. G., Ismael, S. H., Jamal, Z. A., Sharad, A., Najmuldeen, H. H., & Aryntayeva, N. (2025). Glycoprotein G-Based Vaccines for Nipah Virus: Epidemiology, Molecular Insights, Benefits, and Limitations. Trends in Immunotherapy, 9(4), 73–85. https://doi.org/10.54963/ti.v9i4.1011
Volume 9 Issue 4 (December 2025): In Progress
Copyright (c) 2025 Murzaeva Mariia, Imad Ghanem Qasim, Sajida Hussein Ismael, Zahaa Aldeen Jamal, Abdalfattah Sharad, Hastyar Hama Najmuldeen, Nurila Aryntayeva
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright

The authors shall retain the copyright of their work but allow the Publisher to publish, copy, distribute, and convey the work.

License

Trends in Immunotherapy (TI)  publishes accepted manuscripts under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Authors who submit their papers for publication by TI agree to have the CC BY 4.0 license applied to their work, and that anyone is allowed to reuse the article or part of it free of charge for any purpose, including commercial use. As long as the author and original source are properly cited, anyone may copy, redistribute, reuse, and transform the content.

Authors

  • Murzaeva Mariia

    Department of Pharmaceutical Disciplines, Osh State University, Osh 723500, Kyrgyzstan
  • Imad Ghanem Qasim

    Department of Medical Laboratory Analysis, Al Mansour University College, Baghdad 10067, Iraq
  • Sajida Hussein Ismael

    Department of Medical Laboratory Analysis , Al-Turath University, Baghdad 10013, Iraq
  • Zahaa Aldeen Jamal

    Department of Medical Laboratory Analysis, Al-Rafidain University College, Baghdad 10064, Iraq
  • Abdalfattah Sharad

    Department of Medical Laboratory Analysis, Madenat Alelem University College, Baghdad 10006, Iraq
  • Hastyar Hama Najmuldeen

    Department of Medical Laboratory Analysis, Cihan University- Sulaimaniya, Sulaimaniya 46001, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
  • Nurila Aryntayeva

    Public Health Department, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty 050012, Kazakhstan

Received: 12 February 2025; Revised: 11 March 2025; Accepted: 26 March 2025; Published: 30 October 2025

Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly virulent zoonotic pathogen associated with significant mortality rates and limited treatment options, posing a significant public health threat. This review explores the epidemiology, molecular structure, and vaccine development efforts targeting glycoprotein G, a critical component of the virus's entry mechanism. Advances in structural biology and immunogenetics have highlighted the potential of glycoprotein G-based vaccines in preventing NiV infections. Despite promising preclinical results, challenges such as immune evasion, safety concerns, and limited clinical trials persist. Additionally, we examine the benefits of glycoprotein G-based vaccines in enhancing immune responses and preventing viral entry, as well as the limitations posed by genetic diversity and cross-reactivity. This review highlights the critical need for ongoing research to overcome existing challenges and guide future vaccine development efforts against NiV. It further underscores the necessity of innovative approaches in vaccine design to reduce the global burden of NiV infections. Glycoprotein G-based vaccines represent a promising avenue for combating NiV infections. Advances in structural biology, immune system targeting, and delivery system technology are paving the way for more effective vaccines. However, overcoming challenges such as cross-reactivity and safety concerns will require continued innovation and collaboration.

Keywords:

Nipah Virus Outbreak Vaccine Development Immunogenetics Glycoprotein G

References

  1. Chua, K.B.; Bellini, W.J.; Rota, P.A. Nipah Virus: A Recently Emergent Deadly Paramyxovirus. Science 2000, 288, 1432–1435.
  2. Harcourt, B.H.; Tamin, A.; Ksiazek, T.G. Molecular Characterization of Nipah Virus, a Newly Emergent Paramyxovirus. Virology 2000, 271, 334–349.
  3. Luby, S.P.; Gurley, E.S.; Hossain, M.J. Transmission of Human Infection with Nipah Virus. Clin. Infect. Dis. 2009, 49, 1743–1748.
  4. Wong, K.T.; Shieh, W.J.; Kumar, S. Nipah Virus Infection: Pathology and Pathogenesis of an Emerging Paramyxoviral Zoonosis. Am. J. Pathol. 2002, 161, 2153–2167.
  5. Chadha, M.S.; Comer, J.A.; Lowe, L. Nipah Virus-Associated Encephalitis Outbreak, Siliguri, India. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2006, 12, 235–240.
  6. Sejvar, J.J.; Hossain, J.; Saha, S.K.; et al. Long-Term Neurological and Functional Outcome in Nipah Virus Infection. Ann. Neurol. 2007, 62, 235–242.
  7. Epstein, J.H.; Prakash, V.; Smith, C.S. Henipavirus Infection in Fruit Bats (Pteropus giganteus), India. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2008, 14, 1309–1311.
  8. Broder, C.C.; Xu, K.; Nikolov, D.B. A Treatment for and Vaccine Against the Deadly Hendra and Nipah Viruses. Antiviral Res. 2013, 100, 8–13.
  9. Lo, M.K.; Feldmann, F.; Gary, J.M. Remdesivir (GS-5734) Protects African Green Monkeys from Nipah Virus Challenge. Sci. Transl. Med. 2019, 11, eaau9242.
  10. Mire, C.E.; Geisbert, J.B.; Agans, K.N. A Recombinant Hendra Virus G Glycoprotein Subunit Vaccine Protects Nonhuman Primates Against Hendra Virus Challenge. J. Virol. 2016, 90, 3924–3933.
  11. Bossart, K.N.; Rockx, B.; Feldmann, F. A Hendra Virus G Glycoprotein Subunit Vaccine Protects African Green Monkeys from Nipah Virus Challenge. Sci. Transl. Med. 2012, 4, 146ra107.
  12. Guillaume, V.; Contamin, H.; Loth, P. Nipah Virus: Vaccination and Passive Protection Studies in a Hamster Model. J. Virol. 2004, 78, 834–840.
  13. DeBuysscher, B.L.; de Wit, E.; Munster, V.J. Comparison of the Pathogenicity of Nipah Virus Isolates from Bangladesh and Malaysia in the Syrian Hamster. PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 2013, 7, e2024.
  14. Satterfield, B.A.; Cross, R.W.; Fenton, K.A. The Immunomodulating V and W Proteins of Nipah Virus Determine Disease Course. Nat. Commun. 2016, 7, 11272.
  15. Wang, Z.; Amaya, M.; Addetia, A. Architecture and Antigenicity of the Nipah Virus Attachment Glycoprotein. Science 2022, 375, 1373–1378.
  16. Luby, S.P.; Hossain, M.J.; Gurley, E.S. Recurrent Zoonotic Transmission of Nipah Virus into Humans. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2009, 15, 1229–1235.
  17. Hayman, D.T.S.; Suu-Ire, R.; Breed, A.C. Evidence of Henipavirus Infection in West African Fruit Bats. PLoS ONE 2008, 3, e2739.
  18. Harcourt, B.H.; Lowe, L.; Tamin, A. Genetic Characterization of Nipah Virus. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2005, 11, 1594–1597.
  19. Lo, M.K.; Miller, D.; Aljofan, M. Characterization of the Antiviral and Inflammatory Responses Against Nipah Virus in Endothelial Cells and Neurons. Viruses 2012, 4, 3505–3523.
  20. Playford, E.G.; Munro, T.; Mahler, S.M. Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of a Human Monoclonal Antibody Targeting the G Glycoprotein of Henipaviruses in Healthy Adults: A First-in-Human, Randomised, Controlled, Phase 1 Study. Lancet Infect. Dis. 2020, 20, 445–454.
  21. Zhao, L.; Seth, A.; Wibowo, N. Nanoparticle Vaccines. Vaccine 2014, 32, 327–337.
  22. Reed, S.G.; Orr, M.T.; Fox, C.B. Key Roles of Adjuvants in Modern Vaccines. Nat. Med. 2013, 19, 1597–1608.
  23. Arunkumar, G.; Chandni, R.; Mourya, D.T.; et al. Outbreak Investigation of Nipah Virus Disease in Kerala, India, 2018. J. Infect. Dis. 2019, 219, 1867–1878.
  24. Lo, M.K.; Lowe, L.; Hummel, K.B.; et al. Characterization of Nipah Virus from Outbreaks in Bangladesh, 2008–2010. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2012, 18, 248–255.
  25. Gurley, E.S.; Montgomery, J.M.; Hossain, M.J. PersontoPerson Transmission of Nipah Virus in a Bangladeshi Community. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2007, 13, 1031–1037.
  26. Plessis, L.; Venter, M. Neuroinflammatory Responses During Acute and Chronic Nipah Virus Infection. Front. Immunol. 2021, 12, 674703.
  27. Pillai, V.S.; Krishna, G.; Veettil, M.V. Nipah Virus: Past Outbreaks and Future Containment. Viruses. 2020, 12, 465.
  28. Lawrence, P.; Escudero-Pérez, B. Henipavirus Immune Evasion and Pathogenesis Mechanisms: Lessons Learnt from Natural Infection and Animal Models. Viruses 2022, 14, 936.
  29. Wongnak, P.; Thanapongtharm, W.; Kusakunniran, W.; et al. A ‘What-If’ Scenario: Nipah Virus Attacks Pig Trade Chains in Thailand. BMC Vet. Res. 2020, 16, 300.
  30. Loomis, R.J.; Stewart-Jones, G.B.E.; Tsybovsky, Y.; et al. Structure-Based Design of Nipah Virus Vaccines: A Generalizable Approach to Paramyxovirus Immunogen Development. Front. Immunol. 2020, 11, 842.
  31. Nikolay, B.; dos Santos, G.R.; Lipsitch, M.; et al. Assessing the Feasibility of Nipah Vaccine Efficacy Trials Based on Previous Outbreaks in Bangladesh. Vaccine, 2021, 39, 5600–5606.
  32. Siva, S.R.; Chong, H.T.; Tan, C.T. Ten Year Clinical and Serological Outcomes of Nipah Virus Infection. Neurol. Asia, 2009, 14, 53–58.
  33. Chen, S.; Zhang, X.; Yao, Y.; et al. Ferritin Nanoparticle-Based Nipah Virus Glycoprotein Vaccines Elicit Potent Protective Immune Responses in Mice and Hamsters. Virol. Sin., 2024, 39, 909–916.
  34. Parvege, M.M.; Rahman, M.; Nibir, Y.M.; et al. Two Highly Similar LAEDDTNAQKT and LTDKIGTEI Epitopes in G Glycoprotein May Be Useful for Effective Epitope Based Vaccine Design Against Pathogenic Henipavirus. Comput. Biol. Chem. 2016, 61, 270–280.
  35. Becker, N.; Maisner, A. Nipah Virus Impairs Autocrine IFN Signaling by Sequestering STAT1 and STAT2 into Inclusion Bodies. Viruses 2023,15, 554.
  36. Byrne, P.O.; Fisher, B.E.; Ambrozak, D.R.; et al. Structural Basis for Antibody Recognition of Vulnerable Epitopes on Nipah Virus F Protein. Nat. Commun. 2023, 14, 1494.
  37. Leyva-Grado, V.H.; Promeneur, D.; Agans, K.N.; et al. Establishing an Immune Correlate of Protection for Nipah Virus in Nonhuman Primates. npj Vacc. 2024, 9, 244.
  38. Epstein, J.H.; Anthony, S.J.; Islam, A.; et al. Nipah virus dynamics in bats and implications for spillover to humans. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 2020, 117, 29190–29201.
  39. Mire, C.E.; Satterfield, B.A.; Geisbert, J.B.; et al. Pathogenic Differences Between Nipah Virus Bangladesh and Malaysia Strains in Primates: Implications for Antibody Therapy. Sci. Rep. 2016, 6, 30916.
  40. Larsen, B.B.; McMahon, T.; Brown, J.T.; et al. Functional and Antigenic Landscape of the Nipah Virus Receptor Binding Protein. bioRxiv 2024, 58, 9977.
  41. Lu, M.; Yao, Y.; Zhang, X.; et al. Both Chimpanzee Adenovirus-Vectored and DNA Vaccines Induced Long-Term Immunity Against Nipah Virus Infection. npj Vacc. 2023, 8,170.
  42. Geisbert, T.W.; Bobb, K.; Borisevich, V.; et al. A Single Dose Investigational Subunit Vaccine for Human Use Against Nipah Virus and Hendra Virus. npj Vacc. 2021, 6, 23.
  43. Liao, H.C.; Shen, K.Y.; Yang, C.H.; et al. Lipid Nanoparticle-Encapsulated DNA Vaccine Robustly Induce Superior Immune Responses to the mRNA Vaccine in Syrian Hamsters. Mol. Ther. Methods Clin. Dev. 2023, 32, 101169.

Copyright © UK Scientific Publishing Limited.