Although
reports on MERS-CoV RBD-based subunit vaccines are limited,
subunit vaccines based on SARS-CoV RBD have been extensively
studied and tested since the occurrence of SARS in 2002, showing
sufficient efficacy and strong protection against SARS-CoV infections
in various animal models (Du et al., 2007, 2009b; He et al.,
2004; Zakhartchouk et al., 2007). Therefore, a summary of SARSCoV
RBD-based subunit vaccines will provide useful information
and specific guidance on the design of effective RBD-based subunit
vaccines against MERS-CoV.