The VP1 Protein of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus: Bridging Pathogenicity and Control Strategies.

VP1-based vaccine engineering using AI and cross-serotype antigen design offers promise for improved FMDV control.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) represents a significant threat to cloven-hoofed livestock worldwide. This systematic review examines VP1, the major structural protein of FMDV, which plays a pivotal role in viral pathogenicity and host immune responses. VP1 mediates viral attachment through RGD motif-integrin interactions and orchestrates immune evasion mechanisms. Advanced structural analyses using X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy have revealed critical conformational dynamics, particularly in the G-H loop region essential for integrin binding. The review synthesizes current knowledge on VP1 genetic variation and its implications for vaccine cross-protection and efficacy. While inactivated vaccines remain the gold standard, limitations including restricted cross-serotype protection and cold-chain dependency persist. The authors propose innovative strategies combining artificial intelligence, rational antigen engineering across serotypes, and comprehensive genetic database analysis to develop next-generation broad-spectrum vaccines and diagnostic tools. This comprehensive analysis provides veterinary professionals with a contemporary framework for understanding FMDV pathogenesis mechanisms and informs rational design of improved control strategies.

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