A Sendai virus recombinant vaccine expressing a gene for truncated human metapneumovirus (hMPV) fusion protein protects cotton rats from hMPV challenge

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infections pose a serious health risk to young children, particularly in cases of premature birth. No licensed vaccine exists and there is no standard treatment for hMPV infections apart from supportive hospital care. We describe the production of a Sendai virus (SeV) recombinant that carries a gene for a truncated hMPV fusion (F) protein (SeV-MPV-Ft). The vaccine induces binding and neutralizing antibody responses toward hMPV and protection against challenge with hMPV in a cotton rat system. Results encourage advanced development of SeV-MPV-Ft to prevent the morbidity and mortality caused by hMPV infections in young children. - Highlights: • A Sendai virus-based human metapneumovirus (hMPV) vaccine is being developed. • SeV-MPV-Ft carries a gene for a truncated metapneumovirus fusion protein. • The intranasal vaccine induces hMPV-specific binding antibodies in cotton rats. • The vaccine induces hMPV-specific neutralizing antibodies in cotton rats. • A single immunization protects against hMPV challenge in vivo.