Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute respiratory 
infections in children, yet no vaccine is available. The sole licensed 
preventive treatment against RSV is composed of a monoclonal neutralizing 
antibody (palivizumab), which targets a conformational epitope located on the 
fusion protein (F). Palivizumab reduces the burden of bronchiolitis but does not 
prevent infection. Thus, the development of RSV vaccines remains a priority. We 
previously evaluated nanorings formed by RSV nucleoprotein (N) as an RSV 
vaccine, as well as an immunostimulatory carrier for heterologous antigens. 
Here, we linked the palivizumab-targeted epitope (called FsII) to N, to generate 
N-FsII-nanorings. Intranasal N-FsII immunization elicited anti-F antibodies in 
mice that were non-neutralizing in vitro. Nevertheless, RSV-challenged animals 
were better protected against virus replication than mice immunized with 
N-nanorings, especially in the upper airways. In conclusion, an N-FsII-focused 
vaccine is an attractive candidate combining N-specific cellular immunity and 
F-specific antibodies for protection.