| abstract |
The invention discloses compositions comprising soluble and membrane-anchored forms of Lassa virus (LASV) glycoprotein 1 (GP1), glycoprotein 2 (GP2), the glycoprotein precursor (GPC), the nucleocapsid protein (NP), and the nucleic acids encoding these proteins. This invention further relates to diagnostic and preventative methods using these compositions. Preventative methods include preparation of vaccines, as well as factors (e.g. small molecules) that inhibit LASV infectivity. Further, the invention relates to diagnostic and therapeutic antibodies including neutralizing antibodies for the prevention and treatment of infection by LASV and other arenaviruses. |