BBG2Na an RSV subunit vaccine candidate intramuscularly injected to human confers protection against viral challenge after nasal immunization in mice

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major respiratory pathogen responsib le for severe pulmonary disease. We have developed a parenterally administe red vaccine, BBG2Na, which is currently in a phase III clinical trial. BBG2 Na comprises residues 130-230 of RSV-A G protein (G2Na) fused to the BE car rier protein. In this study, we show that BBG2Na can be delivered by the na sal route and generates both mucosal and systemic antibody responses when c o-administered with cholera toxin B or a newly described delivery system, z wittergent 3-14. We found that nasal BBG2Na administration protects against RSV challenge and does not induce lung immunopathology upon subsequent RSV challenge. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.