Provided are virus-like particle vaccines for human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in which the ectodomain of hMPV F protein is linked to, and thereby displayed on, a symmetric protein-based virus-like particle. For example, the vaccine antigen may be a N-terminal fusion of the ectodomain of hMPV F protein to a protein having a multimerization domain for a one- or two-component virus-like particle, such as a two-component icosahedral virus-like particle. Further provided are vaccine compositions, methods of manufacturing, and methods of use, e.g., immunizing a subject to generate a protective immune response to hMPV.

Provided is an isolated mammalian negative strand RNA virus, metapneumovirus (MPV), within the sub-family Pneumoviridae, of the family Paramyxoviridae. Also provided are isolated mammalian negative strand RNA viruses identifiable as phylogenetically corresponding or relating to the genus Metapneumovirus and components thereof. In particular, provided is a mammalian MPV, subgroups and variants thereof. Also provided are genomic nucleotide sequences of different isolates of mammalian MPV, in particular, human MPV. Disclosed is the use of the sequence information of different isolates of mammalian MPV for diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Provided are nucleotide sequences encoding the genome of an MPV or a portion thereof, including both mammalian and avian MPV. Further described are chimeric or recombinant viruses encoded by the nucleotide sequences and chimeric and recombinant mammalian MPV that comprise one or more non-native or heterologous sequences. Also provided are vaccine formulations comprising mammalian or avian MPV, including recombinant and chimeric forms thereof. The vaccine preparations encompass multivalent vaccines, including bivalent and trivalent vaccine preparations.

Metapneumovirus (MPV) F proteins stabilized in a prefusion conformation, nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding these proteins, and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the MPV F proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules can be used to generate an immune response to MPV in a subject. In additional embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the MPV F ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be administered to a subject in a method of treating or preventing MPV infection.

The present disclosure provides antigenic prefusion hMPV F polypeptides, nucleic acid sequences (e.g., RNA sequences, e.g., mRNA sequences) encoding prefusion hMPV F polypeptides, compositions comprising antigenic prefusion hMPV F polypeptides, compositions comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding prefusion hMPV F polypeptides, and hMPV vaccines.

The invention provides methods for using virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines containing a stabilized pre-fusion respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F protein to stimulate RSV neutralizing antibodies in pre-immune subjects. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for immunizing a mammalian subject in need of immunizing against Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) infection, comprising, a) providing i) a pre-immune mammalian subject containing RSV neutralizing antibodies, ii) a first composition comprising recombinant chimeric Newcastle disease virus-like particles (ND VLPs), that contain a chimeric protein comprising, in N operable combination, 1) stabilized pre-fusion RSV F protein ectodomain, 2) transmembrane (TM) domain of NDV F protein, and 3) cytoplasmic (CT) domain of NDV F protein, and b) administering an immunologically effective amount of the first composition to the pre-immune subject to produce an immunized subject that comprises an increase in the level of the RSV neutralizing antibodies compared to the level of RSV neutralizing antibodies in the pre-immune subject. In one embodiment, the level of the RSV neutralizing antibodies in the pre-immune subject does not prevent RSV infection of the pre-immune subject.

Provided herein are engineered hMPV F proteins. In some aspects, the engineered F proteins exhibit enhanced conformational stability and/or antigenicity. Methods are also provided for use of the engineered F proteins as diagnostics, in screening platforms, and/or in vaccine compositions.

Provided are virus-like particle vaccines for human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in which the ectodomain of hMPV F protein is linked to, and thereby displayed on, a symmetric protein-based virus-like particle. For example, the vaccine antigen may be a N-terminal fusion of the ectodomain of hMPV F protein to a protein having a multimerization domain for a one- or two-component virus-like particle, such as a two-component icosahedral virus-like particle. Further provided are vaccine compositions, methods of manufacturing, and methods of use, e.g., immunizing a subject to generate a protective immune response to hMPV.

Provided herein, in some embodiments, are vaccines (and vaccination methods) that include a ribonucleic acid (RNA) polynucleotide encoding a human metapneumovirus (hMPV) F protein and a RNA polynucleotide encoding a human parainfluenza virus 3 (hPIV3) F protein.

The present invention is inter alia directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one nucleic acid encoding at least one antigenic peptide or protein from a Coronavirus, preferably a pandemic Coronavirus, and at least one nucleic acid encoding at least one antigenic peptide or protein from a further virus, e.g. an Influenza virus or an RSV virus. Pharmaceutical compositions provided herein are suitable for use in treatment or prophylaxis of an infection with at least one Coronavirus and at least one further virus infection, and may therefore be comprised in a combination vaccine. The nucleic acid sequences of the pharmaceutical compositions and combination vaccines are preferably in association with a polymeric carrier, a polycationic protein or peptide, or a lipid nanoparticle (LNP). The invention is also directed to first and second and further medical uses of the pharmaceutical compositions and combination vaccines, and to methods of treating or preventing a Coronavirus infection and a further virus infection.

The present invention is inter alia directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one nucleic acid encoding at least one antigenic peptide or protein from a Coronavirus, preferably a pandemic Coronavirus, and at least one nucleic acid encoding at least one antigenic peptide or protein from a further virus, e.g. an Influenza virus or an RSV virus. Pharmaceutical compositions provided herein are suitable for use in treatment or prophylaxis of an infection with at least one Coronavirus and at least one further virus infection, and may therefore be comprised in a combination vaccine. The nucleic acid sequences of the pharmaceutical compositions and combination vaccines are preferably in association with a polymeric carrier, a polycationic protein or peptide, or a lipid nanoparticle (LNP). The invention is also directed to first and second and further medical uses of the pharmaceutical compositions and combination vaccines, and to methods of treating or preventing a Coronavirus infection and a further virus infection.