Novel Vaccine Targets and Immunotherapies for Durable Immunity Against Respiratory Viruses

The rapid development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 has been a critical milestone in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, yet the continued evolution of the virus and other respiratory pathogens presents ongoing challenges to sustained immunity and public health. Alongside coronaviruses, Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), Parainfluenza viruses (HPIV, especially types 3 and 1), and Rhinovirus contribute significantly to global disease burden, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. As respiratory virus variants emerge and vaccine breakthroughs occur, there is increasing urgency to broaden our understanding of long-term vaccine efficacy, resistance evolution, and novel approaches that target more stable, conserved regions of these viruses.Current respiratory-virus vaccine R&D largely targets pathogens with clear pandemic potential or heavy seasonal burden, led by influenza, SARS CoV 2, and RSV. Stronger pipelines are emerging for viruses with major morbidity, but no long-standing licensed vaccines are available for pathogens such as hMPV and Parainfluenza (especially HPIV-3 and HPIV-1), while preparedness work advances vaccines for MERS-CoV and broader pan-coronavirus/prototype-pathogen approaches. By contrast, progress is slower for biologically complex targets like Rhinoviruses and, to a lesser extent, Adenoviruses. This article collection aims to highlight advanced research into alternative vaccine targets, such as highly conserved viral domains beyond the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, including non-spike structural and accessory protein domains (e.g., the ORF3a ectodomain), and their immunogenicity across coronaviruses, RSV, and rhinovirus. Articles are welcome that explore cutting edge vaccine research specific to respiratory viruses like, Influenza, SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1, RSV, hMPV, Parainfluenza viruses, Rhinovirus, and Adenovirus. The collection is also open to the concept of “Universal” vaccine projects e.g., Pan-Coronavirus vaccine. Focus areas include studies evaluating these novel antigens in animal models and clinical settings, examination of vaccine-induced immunity, the durability of protection, and the strategic use of boosters. In addition, the collection will rigorously address the possibility and implications of antigenic escape, the challenge of genetic drift and antigenic variation, combination vaccine strategies, and innovative delivery methods for inducing robust mucosal and systemic immune responses, all within the broader context of respiratory virus control. To advance the field of respiratory viral vaccines, we welcome articles addressing but not limited to the follow themes. • Discovery and immunogenic evaluation of novel vaccine targets in Influenza, SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1, RSV, hMPV, Parainfluenza viruses, Rhinovirus, and Adenovirus• Preclinical and clinical assessment of viable alternative vaccine candidates targeting conserved viral domains• Vaccine efficacy evaluation amidst variant evolution in major respiratory viruses• Investigations into the quality, duration, and breadth of vaccine-induced immunity • Comparative analyses of vaccine strategies targeting spike-independent and spike-related viral components• Host immune response profiling to conserved versus variable viral antigens• Impact of genetic drift and antigenic variation on existing and prospective vaccine formulations• Evaluation of combination vaccines for multi-pathogen respiratory protection or combination therapies that act as vaccine adjuvants• Innovations in vaccine administration routes, such as intranasal and mucosal delivery for enhanced immunity against airway pathogens• Emerging approaches to monitor, predict, and mitigate antigenic escape in respiratory viruses Topic editors: Dhruv Desai, Swayam Prakash, Irene Terzi Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77782/novel-vaccine-targets-and-immunotherapies-for-durable-immunity-against-respiratory-viruses