The antigenic and genetic variability of bovine respiratory syncytial virus with emphasis on the G protein

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and related human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) are major respiratory tract pathogens in calves and infants, respectively. Great a�ention is now paid to prevention of the disease caused by these agents. Glycoprotein G is the most variable viral protein and antigenic grouping of RSV isolates is based on distinct antigenic reactivity pa�erns determined with a set of G protein specific mAbs. Genetic variability of the G protein is used during epidemiology and epizootiology studies of HRSV and BRSV diseases, respectively. The constant genetic dri� can be observed within G protein sequences. Both cell-mediated and antibodymediated immune responses contribute to efficient protection against RSV infection. The neutralizing antibodies are induced by F and G proteins. The G protein fails to induce cytotoxic lymphocytes response and may causes aberrant Th2 response leading to enhancement of clinical symptoms in subsequently infected vaccines. The G as the most variable viral protein associated with immunopathologic effect is a critical factor in vaccine development.