Mechanisms of measles virus CNS adaptation

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 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Measles virus (MV) is a leading cause of child mortality in developing countries despite the availability of a live attenuated vaccine for over 40 years. Severely immune-compromised people are particularly at risk for MV. MV causes periodic outbreaks all over the world; in the U.S., we are in the midst of a nation-wide outbreak. While natural infection with MV elicits long-lasting immunity, protection wanes in vaccinated persons. The most serious manifestations of MV infection, including encephalitis, occur in people with impaired cellular immunity. MV affects the central nervous system (CNS) in up to half of routine cases; with adequate cellular immunity the infection is eradicated, but individuals with impaired cellular immunity are at a disadvantage. Even the vaccine strain can lead to fatal encephalitis in such persons. In a recent MV outbreak in South Africa several people died of MV CNS infection. We analyzed the viruses from these patients and found that specific intra-host evolution of the MV fusion machinery -- receptor binding protein (H) + fusion protein (F) -- had occurred. A mutation in F of the "CNS-adapted" viruses allows it to promote fusion with less dependence on interaction of H with the two known MV cellular receptors; this F is activated independently of H or receptor. We hypothesize that in the absence of effective cellular immunity, MV variants bearing fusion machinery that enabled efficient spread in the CNS underwent positive selection. We propose to identify the molecular determinants of CNS invasion by MV in the host, and determine whether these "CNS-adapted" viruses can spread between individuals. In aim 1 we will identify the genetic and functional differences between the H/F fusion machinery of wild-type (wt) MV and the CNS-adapted viruses, to correlate clinical pattern with specific fusion properties. In aim 2 we will determine whether the H/F alterations in the CNS isolates permit transmission to intact or immune-suppressed hosts via normal routes of infection. Strategies to prevent measles infection are needed to protect people with inadequate or no immunity who cannot be vaccinated. We propose that prevention of MV infection immune-compromised individuals must halt infection at an early stage to avoid fatal consequences. Aim 3 will evaluate fusion inhibitor peptides against MV infection in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. A specific antiviral therapy for MV will be tested in cotton rats for its efficacy against wt MV and he "CNS-adapted" clinical isolate viruses. The long-term objective of this plan is to develop a safe and highly effective intranasal fusion protein (F) inhibitor as prophylaxis for use during outbreak situations. The current MV outbreak in the US highlights the urgency of this work. The project will lead to a full understanding of the mechanism and risks of MV adaptation to CNS tropism, and to a stable, easily transported intranasal antiviral to protect people at risk during MV outbreaks.