Conformational epitopes in respiratory syncytial virus G protein central conserved region

A mutant peptide or peptidomimetic thereof, the mutant peptide or peptidomimetic comprising:

• (a) amino acid residues 161-197 of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) G protein, as set forth as SEQ ID NO:
• 1, with at least one amino acid substitution at amino acid residue 162, 164, 166, 177, 187, 192, or 193 thereof;
• (b) amino acid residues 162-172 of RSV G protein, as set forth as SEQ ID NO:
• 2, with at least one amino acid substitution at amino acid residue 162, 164, or 166 thereof;
• (c) amino acid residues 169-198 of RSV G protein, as set forth as SEQ ID NO:
• 3, with at least one amino acid substitution at amino acid residue 177, 187, 192, or 193 thereof;
• (d) amino acid residues 157-197 of RSV G protein, as set forth as SEQ ID NO:
• 4, with at least one amino acid substitution at amino acid residue 162, 164, 166, 177, 187, 192, or 193 thereof;
• (e) amino acid residues 148-197 of RSV G protein, as set forth as SEQ ID NO:
• 5, with at least one amino acid substitution at amino acid residue 162, 164, 166, 177, 187, 192, or 193 thereof;
• or
• (f) amino acid residues 161-191 of RSV G protein, as set forth as SEQ ID NO:
• 6, with at least one amino acid substitution at amino acid residue 162, 164, 166, 177, or 187 thereof;
• wherein the mutant peptide or peptidomimetic (i) comprises diminished activation of CX3CR1 (chemokine receptor responsive to fractalkine) as compared to the respective unmodified peptide comprising SEQ ID NOS:
• 1-6, (ii) is immunoreactive with mAb 3D3, and/or 2D10 and/or 3G12, and (iii) is chemically stabilized to maintain its native conformation when binding to mAb 3D3, and/or 2D10 and/or 3G12.