Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Renata Gois de Mello, Thaissa Consoni Bernardino, Luis Giovani Oliveira Guardalini, Renato Mancini Astray, Marta Maria Antoniazzi, Simone Goncalves Silva Jared, Eutimio Gustavo Fernandez Nunez, Soraia Attie Calil Jorge
Summary: A method for producing virus-like particles containing the structural proteins of the Zika virus in insect cells was successfully established in this study. The recombinant bacmids containing the gene sequences of Zika virus structural proteins were obtained through transformation and infection assays. The virus-like particles were confirmed to exist and showed potential for the development of a Zika virus vaccine candidate.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shan-Ko Tsai, Yu-Lin Hsu, Der-Jiang Chiao, Pei-Yun Shu, Hui-Tsu Lin, Shu-Fen Chang, Hui-Chung Lin, Shih-Hsin Huang, Chun-Hsiung Wang, Chia-Chu Hsiung, Chang-Chi Lin, Tzong-Yuan Wu, Szu-Cheng Kuo
Summary: This study describes the production of novel CHIKV virus-like particles (VLPs) from mosquitoes using a Baculovirus/Mosquito system. The VLPs showed potential as an antigen for serological detection and vaccine development against CHIKV infection, as they were able to induce neutralizing antibody responses and specific antibody production in mice.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jiao Hu, Qi Zhang, Peipei Peng, Rumeng Li, Jun Li, Xiaoquan Wang, Min Gu, Zenglei Hu, Shunlin Hu, Xiaowen Liu, Mei Mei, Xinan Jiao, Daxin Peng, Xiufan Liu
Summary: This study generated a H7N9 virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine and evaluated its efficacy in chickens and mice. The H7N9 VLP induced robust antibody immune responses and provided complete clinical protection against H7N9 virus challenge in both animal models. Additionally, the vaccine significantly reduced virus shedding and alleviated pulmonary lesions. Moreover, the H7N9 VLP also induced high T cell immunity and decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines in mouse lungs. These findings highlight the potential of VLP-based vaccines as an alternative to traditional egg-based vaccines for controlling H7N9 influenza virus in both humans and poultry.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Huimin Bai, Michiyo Kataoka, Yasushi Ami, Yuriko Suzaki, Naokazu Takeda, Masamichi Muramatsu, Tian-Cheng Li
Summary: Rabbit hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a novel HEV which belongs to genotype 3 in the Orthohepevirus A species. Through expressing truncated rabbit HEV ORF2 proteins, two types of virus-like particles were obtained, with RsVLPs showing stronger antigenic cross-reactivity against different HEV genotypes. Immunization with RsVLPs completely protected rabbits from challenge by rabbit HEV, suggesting potential for vaccine development.
Article
Immunology
Jin Luo, Huan Qin, Lei Lei, Wange Lou, Ruitong Li, Zishu Pan
Summary: This study explored stable prefusion conformation virus-like particles (Pre-F VLPs) as potential RSV vaccine candidates. Immunization with Pre-F VLPs induced a high level of RSV neutralizing antibody and a balanced immune response, protecting mice against RSV infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jun Li, Rumeng Li, Qi Zhang, Peipei Peng, Xiaoquan Wang, Min Gu, Zenglei Hu, Xinan Jiao, Daxin Peng, Jiao Hu, Xiufan Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates that the H7N9 VLP vaccine provides complete clinical protection against HP H7N9 virus, significantly inhibits virus shedding, and abolishes viral replication in chickens. The VLP vaccine represents a promising alternative strategy for the development of novel H7N9 avian influenza vaccines for chickens.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Sandra R. Abbo, Wilson Nguyen, Marleen H. C. Abma-Henkens, Denise van de Kamer, Niek H. A. Savelkoul, Corinne Geertsema, Thuy T. T. Le, Bing Tang, Kexin Yan, Troy Dumenil, Monique M. van Oers, Andreas Suhrbier, Gorben P. Pijlman
Summary: Mayaro virus is associated with acute rheumatic disease and has the potential to emerge as a tropical public health threat. Researchers developed a virus-like particle vaccine against Mayaro virus, which induced neutralizing antibodies and protected mice against infection and disease.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thaissa Consoni Bernardino, Renato Mancini Astray, Carlos Augusto Pereira, Vera Lucia Boldorini, Marta Maria Antoniazzi, Simone Goncalves Silva Jared, Eutimio Gustavo Fernandez Nunez, Soraia Attie Calil Jorge
Summary: Rabies, an ancient zoonotic disease causing over 59,000 deaths annually, has been the focus of research on the rabies lyssavirus and its proteins RVGP and RVM in the production of virus-like particles. Through various experiments and procedures, researchers successfully obtained the VLPs, laying the foundation for further studies on the potential of VLPs as a veterinary rabies vaccine.
MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Vartika Srivastava, Kripa N. Nand, Aijaz Ahmad, Ravinder Kumar
Summary: Virus-like particles (VLPs) are ideal for vaccine development and drug delivery due to their noninfectious nature, high density of repeating epitopes, and ability to raise immune responses. Yeast-based platforms have been used to produce VLPs, and this review discusses the advantages, issues, and limitations of this approach. It also compiles a list of yeast-derived VLP-based vaccines currently in use or in clinical trials.
Article
Immunology
Youjun Mi, Tao Xie, Bingdong Zhu, Jiying Tan, Xuefeng Li, Yanping Luo, Fei Li, Hongxia Niu, Jiangyuan Han, Wei Lv, Juan Wang
Summary: This study utilized virus-like particle technology to develop a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, successfully expressing E, M, and S proteins in insect cells through gene cloning and cell transfection, ultimately achieving self-assembly of SARS-CoV-2 VLPs in insect cells.
Article
Immunology
Pengfei Du, Quanhui Yan, Xiao-Ai Zhang, Weijun Zeng, Kaiyuan Xie, Zhongmao Yuan, Xiaodi Liu, Xueyi Liu, Lihong Zhang, Keke Wu, Xiaowen Li, Shuangqi Fan, Mingqiu Zhao, Jinding Chen
Summary: Recruitment of specific antigenic epitopes from PEDV and TGEV into ADDomer framework allowed the successful generation of recombinant proteins AD, AD-P, AD-T, and AD-PT. These recombinant ADDomer-VLP vaccines demonstrated strong immunogenicity, effectively stimulating the production of neutralizing antibodies against both PEDV and TGEV. The recombinant ADDomer-VLP vaccine induced elevated levels of IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-4, and enhanced cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity in the peripheral blood of piglets.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Valeria L. Carvalho, Maureen T. Long
Summary: Arthropod-borne viruses are global pathogens that circulate endemically with local explosive outbreaks and constant encroachment into new locations. Few vaccines against these viruses exist, but promising results have been shown with insect-specific virus vaccines, offering a new approach for future arbovirus vaccine research.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Saghi Nooraei, Howra Bahrulolum, Zakieh Sadat Hoseini, Camellia Katalani, Abbas Hajizade, Andrew J. Easton, Gholamreza Ahmadian
Summary: Virus-like particles (VLPs) are virus-derived structures without genetic material, able to self-assemble and mimic viruses, utilized in candidate vaccines and successful applications in targeted drug delivery and gene therapy. Modifying the surface of VLPs for increased specificity and longevity in specific cells or tissues may enhance their future use.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Hanul Choi, Jungmin Chun, Mina Park, Suyeon Kim, Nahyun Kim, Hee-Jung Lee, Minjee Kim, Ha Youn Shin, Yu-Kyoung Oh, Young Bong Kim
Summary: The research team developed a genetic vaccine using a recombinant baculovirus vector that enhances gene delivery efficiency and demonstrated high levels of immune response in mice. In challenge tests using IFN knock-out mice, the vaccine showed complete protection, indicating its potential as a vaccine candidate for human application.
Article
Immunology
Zhanhui Wang, Mengyao Liu, Haoran Zhao, Pengpeng Wang, Wenge Ma, Yunke Zhang, Wenxue Wu, Chen Peng
Summary: The study demonstrated the development of BVDV-VLPs using a baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS), as well as the efficacy of VLPs in inducing BVDV-specific humoral and cellular immune responses in mice.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cyrielle Fougeroux, Louise Goksoyr, Manja Idorn, Vladislav Soroka, Sebenzile K. Myeni, Robert Dagil, Christoph M. Janitzek, Max Sogaard, Kara-Lee Aves, Emma W. Horsted, Sayit Mahmut Erdogan, Tobias Gustavsson, Jerzy Dorosz, Stine Clemmensen, Laurits Fredsgaard, Susan Thrane, Elena E. Vidal-Calvo, Paul Khalife, Thomas M. Hulen, Swati Choudhary, Michael Theisen, Susheel K. Singh, Asier Garcia-Senosiain, Linda Van Oosten, Gorben Pijlman, Bettina Hierzberger, Tanja Domeyer, Blanka W. Nalewajek, Anette Strobaek, Magdalena Skrzypczak, Laura F. Andersson, Soren Buus, Anette Stryhn Buus, Jan Pravsgaard Christensen, Tim J. Dalebout, Kasper Iversen, Lene H. Harritshoj, Benjamin Mordmueller, Henrik Ullum, Line S. Reinert, Willem Adriaan de Jongh, Marjolein Kikkert, Soren R. Paludan, Thor G. Theander, Morten A. Nielsen, Ali Salanti, Adam F. Sander
Summary: The study developed two SARS-CoV-2 vaccines based on capsid-like particles, showing good neutralizing antibody efficacy; mice vaccinated with the RBD-CLP vaccine demonstrated higher levels of serum anti-spike antibodies than those with soluble RBD vaccine; the RBD-CLP vaccine in mice exhibited virus neutralization antibody titers comparable to those found in patients who had recovered from COVID-19.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Qiuhong Miao, Ruibing Qi, Chunchun Meng, Jie Zhu, Aoxing Tang, Dandan Dong, Hongyuan Guo, Monique M. van Oers, Gorben P. Pijlman, Guangqing Liu
Summary: The study identified and cloned the caprine MAVS gene, showing its essential roles in cell localization, interferon pathway activation, and evasion of immune response against Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus in caprine cells.
Article
Cell Biology
Gwen Nowee, Julian W. Bakker, Corinne Geertsema, Vera I. D. Ros, Giel P. Goertz, Jelke J. Fros, Gorben P. Pijlman
Summary: Alphaviruses infect a variety of hosts, with their non-structural protein nsP3's HVD region showing high variability and conserved motifs across different subgroups. While most alphavirus nsP3s co-locate with G3BP, not all interact with BIN1. Additionally, viruses lacking certain motifs can still interact with FMRP to form cytoplasmic granules.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Mark G. Sterken, Lisa van Sluijs, Yiru A. Wang, Wannisa Ritmahan, Mitra L. Gultom, Joost A. G. Riksen, Rita J. M. Volkers, L. Basten Snoek, Gorben P. Pijlman, Jan E. Kammenga
Summary: Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism, this study dissected the genetic architecture of Orsay virus infection and identified two loci on chromosome IV associated with susceptibility. Additionally, it was found that other genetic elements may also influence viral infection susceptibility.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Sandra R. Abbo, Tessa M. Visser, Constantianus J. M. Koenraadt, Gorben P. Pijlman, Haidong Wang
Summary: Infection rates were higher with human blood compared to chicken blood for Cx. pipiens mosquitoes, but the blood source did not affect vector competence for Usutu virus. Interestingly, the molestus biotype had lower virus titers in saliva and was less likely to transmit USUV compared to the pipiens biotype.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Agathe M. G. Colmant, Jody Hobson-Peters, Teun A. P. Slijkerman, Jessica J. Harrison, Gorben P. Pijlman, Monique M. van Oers, Peter Simmonds, Roy A. Hall, Jelke J. Fros
Summary: The study found that the zinc-finger antiviral protein (ZAP) in vertebrate cells effectively prevents insect-specific flaviviruses (ISF) from replicating in vertebrate cells. This research reveals how ISFs are inhibited, providing new insights into flavivirus evolution and mechanisms associated with host switching.
Article
Immunology
Lisa van Sluijs, Kobus J. Bosman, Frederik Pankok, Tatiana Blokhina, Jop I. H. A. Wilten, Dennie M. te Molder, Joost A. G. Riksen, Basten L. Snoek, Gorben P. Pijlman, Jan E. Kammenga, Mark G. Sterken
Summary: Genetic variation in host populations can result in differential susceptibility to viruses. This study investigates the natural genetic variation in the Intracellular Pathogen Response (IPR) of Caenorhabditis elegans against Orsay virus (OrV). The findings suggest that the pals-gene family, which is involved in the IPR, exhibits genetic diversity that can be categorized into a few haplotypes worldwide. In particular, two key IPR regulators, pals-22 and pals-25, show signatures of balancing selection. The study also reveals that different pals-22 pals-25 haplotypes shape the defense against OrV and host genetic variation can lead to constitutive activation of IPR genes.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stephan T. Kudlacek, Stefan Metz, Devina Thiono, Alexander M. Payne, Thanh T. N. Phan, Shaomin Tian, Lawrence J. Forsberg, Jack Maguire, Ian Seim, Shu Zhang, Ashutosh Tripathy, Joseph Harrison, Nathan Nicely, Sandrine Soman, Michael K. McCracken, Gregory D. Gromowski, Richard G. Jarman, Lakshmanane Premkumar, Aravinda M. de Silva, Brian Kuhlman
Summary: By utilizing molecular modeling, researchers identified mutations in the DENV2 E protein that induce dimerization at low concentrations and enhance production yield. Antibodies targeting the stabilized dimers were found to elicit higher levels of DENV2-neutralizing antibodies compared to antibodies targeting WT E antigen. These findings demonstrate the potential of structure-based design for producing subunit vaccines for dengue and other flaviviruses.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tessy A. H. Hick, Corinne Geertsema, Maurice G. L. Henquet, Dirk E. Martens, Stefan W. Metz, Gorben P. Pijlman
Summary: This study successfully produced trimeric, glycosylated CHIKV spikes in insect cells, providing a valuable resource for vaccine research.
Letter
Virology
Linda van Oosten, Kexin Yan, Daniel J. Rawle, Thuy T. Le, Jort J. Altenburg, Cyrielle Fougeroux, Louise Goksoyr, Willem Adriaan de Jongh, Morten A. Nielsen, Adam F. Sander, Gorben P. Pijlman, Andreas Suhrbier
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas Obadia, Gladys Gutierrez-Bugallo, Veasna Duong, Ana Nunez, Rosilainy S. Fernandes, Basile Kamgang, Liza Hery, Yann Gomard, Sandra R. Abbo, Davy Jiolle, Uros Glavinic, Myrielle Dupont-Rouzeyrol, Celestine M. Atyame, Nicolas Pocquet, Sebastien Boyer, Catherine Dauga, Marie Vazeille, Andre Yebakima, Michael T. White, Constantianus J. M. Koenraadt, Patrick Mavingui, Anubis Vega-Rua, Eva Veronesi, Gorben P. Pijlman, Christophe Paupy, Nuria Busquets, Ricardo Lourenco-de-Oliveira, Xavier De Lamballerie, Anna-Bella Failloux
Summary: This study characterizes the vector competence of 50 mosquito populations from six species collected in 12 different countries for Zika virus (ZIKV). The results show that African ZIKV strain has higher transmission efficiency compared to American and Asian ZIKV strains, and Ae. aegypti mosquitoes have highest susceptibility to infections.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jort J. Altenburg, Maarten Klaverdijk, Damien Cabosart, Laurent Desmecht, Sonja S. Brunekreeft-Terlouw, Joshua Both, Vivian I. P. Tegelbeckers, Marieke L. P. M. Willekens, Linda van Oosten, Tessy A. H. Hick, Tom M. H. van der Aalst, Gorben P. Pijlman, Monique M. van Oers, Rene H. Wijffels, Dirk E. Martens
Summary: Real-time, detailed online information on cell cultures is crucial for understanding biopharmaceutical production processes. Researchers have developed a non-invasive method using double differential digital holographic microscopy (D3HM) and machine learning for monitoring insect cell cultures in bioreactors. The combination of D3HM and machine learning provides high-resolution data that can improve process understanding and enable timely process control actions.
BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Erick Bermudez-Mendez, Kirsten F. Bronsvoort, Mark P. Zwart, Sandra van de Water, Ingrid Cardenas-Rey, Rianka P. M. Vloet, Constantianus J. M. Koenraadt, Gorben P. Pijlman, Jeroen Kortekaas, Paul J. Wichgers Schreur
Summary: Bunyaviruses lack a mechanism to ensure complete genome incorporation into each viral particle. Incomplete virus particles can complement each other and contribute to virus spread, playing a significant role in within-host and between-host transmission.
Article
Virology
Erick Bermudez-Mendez, Paolo Angelino, Lucien van Keulen, Sandra van de Water, Barry Rockx, Gorben P. Pijlman, Angela Ciuffi, Jeroen Kortekaas, Paul J. Wichgers Schreur
Summary: This study investigates the transcriptional profiles of host tissues during Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infection using RNA sequencing technology. The results show that RVFV infection impairs liver function and downregulates the expression of metabolic enzymes. Additionally, it is found that the basal expression levels of the host factor LRP1 may be associated with RVFV tissue tropism.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jerome D. G. Comes, Meliawati Poniman, Linda van Oosten, Kristel Doets, Sjoerd de Cloe, Corinne Geertsema, Gorben P. Pijlman
Summary: This study successfully constructed an infectious cDNA clone of TMUV WU2016 and developed a self-amplifying RNA platform capable of expressing various heterologous proteins over an extended period of time, highlighting its potential role in poultry vaccine development.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
