Cryo-EM Structure of Nipah Virus Fusion Glycoprotein in Complex with a Monoclonal Antibody Reveals Mechanism of Neutralization

Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV) are zoonotic paramyxoviruses with a high fatality rate in humans due to devastating neurological and respiratory complications [1]. Despite the fact that NiV and HeV have been causing recurring outbreaks in South/Southeast Asia and Australia since their first emergence in the 1990s, there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for human against these dangerous viruses. WHO placed NiV and HeV on the 2018 list of priority disease-causing pathogens along with other dangerous viruses such as Lassa virus and Ebola virus, emphasizing the urgent demand for therapeutics to counteract NiV and HeV before a potential future outbreak.