Representative Image Measles virus expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein stabilized in its prefusion form induces higher levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing antibodies ANI | Updated: Mar 14, 2021 02:15 IST Washington [US], March 13 (ANI): An attenuated measles virus expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein stabilized in its prefusion form induced higher levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizingantibodies in cotton rats than a virus expressing native full-length spike protein, scientists said in research published in journal PNAS. It also induced a robust Th1-biased T cell response in a mouse model, hamsters immunized with this virus were protected against SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting that it may be a safe and efficacious vaccine candidate for SARS-CoV-2.