RSV Replication, Transmission, and Disease Are Influenced by the RSV G Protein

It is important to understand the features affecting virus replication, fitness, and transmissibility as they contribute to the outcome of infection and affect disease intervention approaches. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major contributor to respiratory disease, particularly in the infant and elderly populations. Although first described over 60 years ago, there are no approved vaccines and there are limited specific antiviral treatments due in part to our incomplete understanding of the features affecting RSV replication, immunity, and disease. RSV studies have typically focused on using continuous cell lines and conventional RSV strains to establish vaccine development and various antiviral countermeasures. This review outlines how the RSV G protein influences viral features, including replication, transmission, and disease, and how understanding the role of the G protein can improve the understanding of preclinical studies.