Polypeptides and compositions thereof are provided for treating or limiting metapneumovinjs (MPV) infection, as well as methods for designing such polypeptides. In further aspects, methods of using said isolated polypeptides, VLPs or pharmaceutical compositions are provided, which include methods for treating a metapneumovirus (MPV) infection, methods for limiting development of an MPV infection, methods for generating an immune response in a subject, methods for monitoring an MPV-induced disease in a subject and/or monitoring response of the subject to immunization by an MPV vaccine, methods for detecting MPV binding antibodies, methods for producing MPV antibodies, and methods of preventing an MPV infection.
