How henipavirus surface proteins let the virus enter cells and trigger immune responses
Structure, function, and antigenicity of emerging henipavirus surface glycoproteins
This project looks at the shapes and antibody targets of henipavirus surface proteins to help protect people from dangerous Hendra and Nipah virus infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11337625 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will figure out the three-dimensional shapes of the virus's two surface spikes and how those shapes change during infection. They will map exactly where neutralizing antibodies bind and test how changes in those sites affect the virus's ability to enter cells. The team will use structural biology methods, biochemical and binding assays, and experiments in cell and animal models to compare known and newly emerging henipaviruses. The goal is to reveal weak points that vaccines or antibody treatments could exploit across different henipavirus strains.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at risk of henipavirus exposure—such as healthcare workers, livestock handlers, or residents in outbreak-prone regions—would be the likely candidates for future vaccine or antibody trials informed by this work.
Not a fit: Individuals with health issues unrelated to henipaviruses or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could guide development of vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapies that prevent or treat deadly henipavirus infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have produced promising vaccines and monoclonal antibodies in animal models and limited compassionate-use cases, but broadly protective solutions against newly emerging henipaviruses remain limited.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Kai — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Xu, Kai
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.