Isolation of a second recombinant human respiratory syncytial virus monoclonal antibody fragment (Fab RSVF2-5) that exhibits therapeutic efficacy in vivo.

A second human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-neutralizing monoclonal antibody was isolated and its binding site was identified. Fab F2-5 is a broadly reactive fusion (F) protein-specific recombinant Fab generated by antigen selection from a random combinatorial library displayed on the surface of filamentous phage. In an in vitro plaque-reduction test, the Fab RSVF2-5 neutralized the infectivity of a variety of field isolates representing viruses of both RSV subgroups A and B. The Fab recognized an antigenic determinant that differed from the only other human anti-F monoclonal antibody (RSV Fab 19) described thus far. A single dose of 4.0 mg of Fab RSVF2-5/kg of body weight administered by inhalation was sufficient to achieve a 2000-fold reduction in pulmonary virus titer in RSV-infected mice. The antigen-binding domain of Fab RSVF2-5 offers promise as part of a prophylactic regimen for RSV infection in humans.