Characterisation and separation of infectious bursal disease virus-like particles using aqueous two-phase systems

Infectious bursal disease(IBD)causes considerable economic losses in the commercial poultry industry worldwide.The principal way to control IBD virus(IBDV),the causative agent of IBD,is still through vaccination programs.Virus-like particles(VLPs)are recognised as a safe and potent recombinant vaccine platform.This research work explores the characterisation and separation of infectious bursal disease virus-like particles(IBD-VLPs)from crude feedstock.Various characteristics were studied with highperformance size-exclusion chromatography(HP-SEC),sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM)analyses.Subsequently,the separation of IBD-VLPs using polyethylene glycol(PEG)/sodium citrate-based aqueous two-phase systems(ATPSs)was conducted and optimised.Moreover,a scale-up study of the best ATPS constituted of 15%PEG 6000,11%sodium citrate and 10%crude feedstock was performed to compare the separation performance of IBD-VLPs with and without centrifugation-assisted.The results indicated that the optimised ATPS with centrifugation-assisted for both 5 g and 50 g systems showed good recovery of IBDVLPs of>97%in the interphase between the PEG-rich top and salt-rich bottom phases.These optimised systems also showed high removal efficiencies of impurities of>95%.The results demonstrated that aqueous two-phase extraction could be a promising technology for efficient VLPs separation.

Expression,purification and characterization of enterovirus-71 virus-like particles

AIM： Enterovirus 71 （EV71） has been implicated as the etiological agent responsible for the recent outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease associated with severe neurological diseases in the Asia-Pacific region. METHODS： The assembly process was hypothesized to occur via an orchestrated proteolytic processing of the P1 precursor by the viral protease 3CD. To test this hypothesis, we constructed 3 recombinant baculoviruses： Bac-P1 expressing P1; Bac-3CD expressing 3CD; and Bac-P1-3CD co-expressing P1 and 3CD. RESULTS： Both single infection by Bac-P1-3CD and coinfection by Bac-P1 and Bac-3CD resulted in correct cleavage of P1 to yield individual proteins VP0, VP1 and VP3, while the former approach yielded higher VLP production. In the cells, the structural proteins selfassembled into clusters of virus-like particles （VLP） resembling the authentic EV71 particle aggregates. After ultracentrifugation purification, the dispersed VLPs were indistinguishable from the authentic virus in size, appearance, composition and surface epitopes, as determined by SDS-PAGE, Western blot, transmission electron microscopy and immunogold labeling. CONCLUSION： Our data, for the first time, suggest that in insect cells EV71 structural proteins adopt a processing and assembly pathway similar to poliovirus assembly. The preservation of particle morphology and composition suggest that the VLP may be a valuable vaccine candidate to prevent EV71 epidemics.

PRODUCTION IN PICHIAPASTORISAND CHARACTERIZATION OF GENETIC ENGINEERED CHIMERIC HBV/HEV VIRUS-LIKE PARTICLES

Objective To investigate the presentation of a neutralization epitope-containing peptide antigen of hepatitis E virus (HEV) on chimeric virus-like particles (VLPs) of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). MethodsThe gene fragment corresponding to amino acids (aa) 551-607 (HEnAg) of HEV capsid protein, which contains the only neutralization epitope identified to date, was fused via a synthetic glycine linker in frame with the gene of HBsAg. The resulted fusion gene was then integrated through transformation into the genome of Pichiapastorisunder the control of a methanol-induced alcohol oxidase 1 (AOX1) promoter and expressed intracellularly. The expression products in the soluble cell extracts were characterized by Western blot, ELISA, CsCl density gradient analysis, and electron microscopic visualiza-tion. Results The novel fusion protein incorporating HBsAg and the neutralization epitope-containing HEnAg was expressed successfully in Pichiapastoriswith an expected molecular weight of approximately 32 kD. It was found to possess the ability to assemble into chimeric HBV/HEV VLPs with immunological, physical and morphological characteristics akin to HBsAg particles. Not only did the chimeric VLPs show high activity levels in a HBsAg particle-specific ELISA but they were also strongly immunoreactive with hepatitis E (HE) positive human serum in a HEV specific ELISA, indicating that HEnAg peptide fragments were exposed on VLP surfaces and would be expected to be readily accessible by cells and molecules of the immune system. Similarity between chimeric VLPs to highly immunogenic HBsAg particles may confer good immuno-genicity on surface-displayed HEnAg. Conclusion The chimeric HBV/HEV VLPs produced in this study may have potential to be a recombinant HBV/HEV bivalent vaccine candidate.

Characterization of a Putative Filovirus Vaccine:Virus-Like Particles

Filoviruses are hemorrhagic fever viruses endemic to parts of Africa and the Philippines. Infection carries with it a mortality rate of up to 90% and currently there are no effective vaccines or therapeutics available to combat infection. However, the filovirus virus-like particles (VLP), which are currently under development, have been shown to be a promising vaccine candidate. They provide protection from infection in the mouse, guinea pig, and nonhuman primate models of infection, eliciting high anti-glycoprotein antibody titers and T cell responses to viral proteins. In this review, we will highlight the development of the filovirus VLP and describe the current understanding of VLP immunogenicity and correlates of protection.

Carboxyl Terminus Truncated Human Papillomavirus Type 58 L1 Protein Maintains Its Bioactivity and Ability to Form Virus-like Particles

Summary: To prepare carboxyl terminus truncated human papillomavirus type 58 L1(HPV58L1) protein and evaluate its ability to form virus-like particles, the baculovirus and Sf-9 insect cells was used to express HPV58L1 protein, and pFastBac-Htb containing HPV58L1 gene sequence of carboxyl terminus truncation was generated. Then Sf-9 cells were infected with recombinant baculovirus. After being cultured, the post-infected cells expressing-HPV58L1 protein-were harvested and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The ProBond~TM purification system was used for protein purification. The bio-activity of purified protein was identified by mouse erythrocyte hemagglutination assay, and the VLP formation was examined with transmission electron microscope. Our results showed that the recombinant baculovirus was generated and the Sf-9 cells was infected with the recombinant baculovirus, and after collecting, total cellular proteins were extracted. Truncated HPV58L1 protein with MW 58KD was revealed by SDS-PAGE and confirmed by Western blot. The purified L1 proteins under native condition could cause mouse erythrocytes to agglutinate and form VLP. It is concluded that HPV58L1 protein with carboxyl terminus truncation could be efficiently expressed. In baculovirus Sf-9 cells expression system, the purified protein could self-assemble into virions in vitro, and induce agglutination of mouse erythrocytes, indicating that carboxyl terminus truncation does not interfere with the bioactivity of HPV58L1 protein.

The codon-optimized capsid gene of duck circovirus can be highly expressed in yeast and self-assemble into virus-like particles

The capsid （Cap） protein, which is the only structural protein of duck circovirus （DuCV）, is the most important antigen for the development of vaccines against DuCV and the virus＇s serological diagnostic methods. In order to use yeast expression system to produce a large quantities of DuCVCap protein which is close to its natural form to display the antigen peptides perfectly, the Cap gene was optimized into the codon-optimized capsid （Opt-Cap） gene towards the preference of yeast firstly. Then, the genes of Cap and Opt-Cap were separately cloned into pPIC9K plasmid and transformed into Picha pas- toris GSl15. The strains that displayed the phenotype of Mut~ and contained multiple inserts of expression cassette were selected from those colonies. After the induction expression, the secretory type of Cap protein, which was about 43 kDa, was best expressed under 0.5% （v/v） methanol and sorbitol induction. Compared with the Cap gene, the expression level of Opt-Cap gene was much higher. What＇s more, the purified Cap protein had a good reactivity to its specific polyclone antibody and DuCV-positive serum, and it was able to self-assemble into virus-like particles （VLPs）. These VLPs, with a diameter of 15-20 nm and without a nucleic acid structure, showed a high level of similarity to DuCV particles in size and shape. All of the resultsdemonstrated that, based on the codon-optimization, it is suitable to use the P. pastoris expression system to produce DuCV VLPs on a large scale. It is the first time that a large amounts of DuCV VLPs were produced successfully in P. pastoris, which might be particularly useful for the further studies of serological diagnosis and vaccines of DuCV.

Efficient Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses Induced by a Chimeric Virus-like Particle Displaying the Epitope of EV71 without Adjuvant

Objective To eliminate the side effects of aluminum adjuvant and His-tag,we constructed chimeric VLPs displaying the epitope of EV71（SP70） without His-tagged.Then evaluating whether the VLPs could efficiently evoke not only humoral but also cellular immune responses against EV71 without adjuvant.Methods The fusion protein was constructed by inserting SP70 into the MIR of truncated HBc Ag sequence,expressed in E.Coli,and purified through ion exchange chromatography and density gradient centrifugation.Mice were immunized with the VLPs and sera were collected afterwards.The specific antibody titers,Ig G subtypes and neutralizing efficacy were detected by ELISA,neutralization assay,and EV71 lethal challenge.IFN-γ and IL-4 secreted by splenocytes were tested by ELISPOT assay.Results HBc-SP70 proteins can self-assemble into empty VLPs.After immunization with HBc-SP70 VLPs,the detectable anti-EV71 antibodies were effective in neutralizing EV71 and protected newborn mice from EV71 lethal challenge.There was no significant difference for the immune efficacy whether the aluminum adjuvant was added or not.The specific Ig G subtypes were mainly IgG1 and IgG2 b and splenocytes from the mice immunized produced high levels of IFN-γ and IL-4.Conclusion The fusion proteins without His-tagged was expressed and purified as soluble chimeric HBc-SP70 VLPs without renaturation.In the absence of adjuvant,they were efficient to elicit high levels of Th1/Th2 mixed immune response as well as assisted by aluminum adjuvant.Furthermore,the chimeric VLPs have potential to prevent HBV and EV71 infection simultaneously.

Production of CCHF Virus-Like Particle by a Baculovirus-Insect Cell Expression System

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) is a tick-born virus of the Nairovirus genus within the Bunyaviridae family,which is widespread and causes high fatality.The nucleocapsid of CCHFV is comprised of N proteins that are encoded by the S segment.In this research,the N protein of CCHFV was expressed in insect cells using a recombinant baculovirus.Under an electron microscope,Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) with various size and morphology were observed in cytoplasmic vesicles in the infected cells.Sucrose-gradient purification of the cell lysate indicated that the VLPs were mainly located in the upper fraction after ultracentrifugation,which was confirmed by Western blot analysis and immuno-electron microscopy (IEM).

Toward innovative veterinary nanoparticle vaccines

Nanoparticles are significant for veterinary vaccine development because they are safer and more effective than conventional formulations.One promising area of research involves self-assembled protein nanoparticles(SAPNs),which have shown potential for enhancing antigen-presenting cell uptake,B-cell activation,and lymph node trafficking.Numerous nanovaccines have been utilized in veterinary medicine,including natural self-assembled protein nanoparticles,rationally designed self-assembled protein nanoparticles,animal virus-derived nanoparticles,bacteriophagederived nanoparticles,and plant-derived nanoparticles,which will be discussed in this review.SAPN vaccines can produce robust cellular and humoral immune responses and have been shown to protect against various animal infectious diseases.This article attempts to summarize these diverse nanovaccine types and their recent research progress in the field of veterinary medicine.Furthermore,this paper highlights their disadvantages and methods for improving their immunogenicity.

HPV 6b L1VIRUS-LIKE PARTICLES ELICIT HUMORAL IMMUNITY IN MICE

Objective.To test whether intramuscular,intranasal,intrarectal and intravagina l administration of HPV6b L 1 virus-like particlescould induce immune response in mice and to as sess whether intra-muscular and mucosal vaccination against HPV is feasible.Me thods.HPV6b L1proteins self-assembled into VLPs in Sf-9cell in vitro.Mic e were immunized on day0and21with50ìg HPV6b L1VLPs intramuscularly,int ranasally,intrarectally and intravagi-nally respectively.Sera were collected for testing IgG titer after a further7days and3months respec-tively.Results .After immunizations,all mice developed significant anti-HPV6b L1antibody titers in serum by7days after the second immunization.The titer of the serum I gG antibody against HPV6b L1VLPs in the intramuscularly immunized group was h igher than that in the intranasally,intrarectally and intravaginally immunized groups respectively,indicating that both muscular and mucosal administration of HPV6b L1VLPs can stimulate a systemic HPV-specific antibody response.Sera of the mice in the in-tramuscularly immunized group still maintained a high tit er of the serum IgG antibody against HPV6b L1VLPs 3months after the immunizat ion.Conclusion.The results demonstrated that the HPV6b L1VLPs maintain stro ng antigenicity.Immu-nization with HPV6b L1VLPs via intramuscular and mucos al routes,without adjuvant ,can elicit spe-cific antibody in sera.These fin dings suggest that the VLPs are able to induce protective antibodies.

Construction of HIV-1 Virus-like Particle Vaccine

The virus-like particle（VLPs） vaccine is an ideal HIV-1 vaccine, which can simultaneously induce a neutralizing antibody reaction and cell-mediated immunity effectively. In this study, two kinds of plasmids have been used, one can express the HIV-1 main structure proteins, Gagpol and Env, and the other contains an antibiotic gene. The two kinds of plasmids have been cotransfected into 293 cells. A stable cell line that can express Gagpol and Env proteins efficiently and lastingly has been screened. It has been confirmed that Gagpol and Env proteins in the cell culture supernatant can be self-assembled into virus-like particles. The authors have detected the secretion of VLPs in the cell medium, defined the peak of the secretion, and followed and monitored the stability of expression.

Pandemic A/HIN1 2009 Influenza Virus-like Particles Elicited Higher and Broader Immune Responses than the Commercial Panenza Vaccine

Objectives： The aim was to construct 2009 pandemic A/HINI influenza VLPs （virus-like particles） and compare the immunogenicity and protection efficacy with the commercial Panenza vaccine in BALB/c mouse model. Methods： VLPs derived from influenza A/Hong Kong/01/2009 （H 1N 1 ） virus were constructed by Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system. VLPs were purified by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and then characterized by Western blotting analysis and transmission electron microscopy. After single dose vaccination with 3 lag of VLPs and equal amount of Panenza vaccine, the immune responses and efficacy of protection induced by VLPs were compared with those elicited by the Panenza vaccine in 6-8 weeks old female BALB/c mice. Key findings： VLPs could induce higher antibody titer as determined by hemagglutinin inhibition and microneutralization assay. Furthermore, we demonstrated that VLPs induced better antibody response to neuraminidase. In addition, VLP vaccinated mice had stronger cell-mediated immune response. As a result, our VLPs conferred 100% protection while the Panenza vaccine only conferred 67% protection. Conclusion： From the results, we concluded that influenza VLPs are highly immunogenic and they are promising to be developed as an alternative strategy to vaccine production in order to control the spread of influenza viruses.

Synthesis of Novel Virus-Like Mesoporous Silica-ZnO-Ag Nanoparticles and Quercetin Synergize with NIR Laser for Omicron Mutated Covid-19 Virus Infectious Diseases Treatment

This work shows that novel virus-like mesopore silica-zinc oxide/Ag nanoparticles (SZnOAg) synthesized and professionally collected on NIR laser irradiation with quercetin to improve the elimination the mutated virus as a biomedical application. A unique type of silica nanoparticles with a self-in- flating tubular surface has been successfully synthesized using a novel single-micelle epitaxial growth process. The properties of the nanoparticles can be tuned with respect to their core diameter, tubular length, and outer diameter. Due to their biomimetic appearance, they can rapidly transform living cells into virus-like particles, this SZnOAg nanomaterial has specific elimination effect on bacteriophage and Covid-19. Using epitaxial growth, we can construct virus-like structures that can be used for biomedicine applications. These nanomaterials and NIR laser could open the way to a new range of antiviral materials, due to the low-efficiency cellular uptake of current nanoparticles, their applications in the biomedical field are limited. Herein, it clearly shows that novel mesoporous silica nanoparticles can be easily exhibited superior cellular uptake property.

Drosophila X virus-like particles as delivery carriers for improved oral insecticidal efficacy of scorpion Androctonus australis peptide against the invasive fruit fly,Drosophila suzukii

Insect-specific neurotoxic peptides derived from the venoms of scorpions and spiders can cause acute paralysis and death when injected into insects,offering a promising insecticidal component for insect pest control.However,effective delivery systems are required to help neurotoxic peptides pass through the gut barrier into the hemolymph,where they can act.Here,we investigated the potential of a novel nanocarrier,Drosophila X virus-like particle(DXV-VLP),for delivering a neurotoxin from the scorpion Androctonus australis Hector(AaIT)against the invasive pest fruit fly,Drosophila suzuki.Our results show that the fusion proteins of DXV polyproteins with AalT peptide at their Ctermini could be sufficiently produced in Lepidoptera Hi5 cells in a soluble form using the recombinant baculovirus expression system,and could self-assemble into VLPs with similar particle morphology and size to authentic DXV virions.In addition,the AalT peptides displayed on DXV-VLPs retained their toxicity,as demonstrated in injection bioassays that resulted in severe mortality(72%)in adults after 72 h.When fed to adults,mild mortality was observed in the group treated with DXV-AalT(38%),while no mortality occurred in the group treated with AaIT peptide,thus indicating the significant role of DXV-VLPs in delivering AalT peptides.Overall,this proof-of-concept study demonstrates for the first time that VLPs can be exploited to enhance oral delivery of insect-specific neurotoxic peptides in the context of pest control.Moreover,it provides insights for further improvements and potentially the development of neurotoxin-based bioinsecticides and/or transgenic crops for insect pest control.

Inorganic virus-like nanoparticles for biomedical applications:a minireview

Nature has the ingenious capability to design spiky topological features at the macro-and nanoscales,which exhibits fascinating interface adhesive properties by means of multivalent interactions.Following a biomimetic approach,such as nanoscale virus particles are highly infectious toward host cells,a range of organic and inorganic spiky particles(virus-like nanostructures)have been precisely engineered for diverse biomedical applications.Generally,organic virus-like particles(VLPs)derived from viral capsids(often termed as virosomes)have been extensively studied and reviewed,but concomitant concerns regarding immunogenicity and risks of mutagenesis limit clinical potential of organic VLPs.In contrast,inorganic VLPs(viral-mimicking topography)possess fascinating physicochemical characteristics,such as excellent electrical,optical,magnetic,mechanical and catalytic properties,which make them particularly suitable for biomedical applications.Alternatively,there is no comprehensive review related to inorganic VLPs engineered with non-viral shell for biomedical applications.Hence,in this review,we present a brief overview on inorganic VLPs,followed by summarizing the construction and properties of virus-like nanostructures,as well as the mechanisms of nano-bio interface interactions initiated by spiky topography.Furthermore,we focus on the recent advances of VLPs for biomedical applications(including biosensing,antibacterial therapy and cancer treatment).Finally,the future outlook and emerging challenges will be presented.This review aims to provide future scope of the rational design of inorganic non-viral vectors,especially with respect to gene-based therapy platforms.

诺如病毒P-partical-GnIH抗原制备及抗原性初步检测

为探索调控家鹅繁殖性能的技术,本研究通过设计合成鹅促性腺激素抑制激素(gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone,GnIH)序列片段,酶切后连接到诺如病毒(Nov)P基因重组pEGX-4T-1载体,转化大肠杆菌DH5α感受态细胞,提取阳性菌重组质粒,并通过测序和酶切进行验证。将测序正确的质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21感受态细胞,利用IPTG诱导重组蛋白表达,SDS-PAGE及Western blotting检测重组蛋白表达。进一步在不同IPTG浓度及诱导时间条件下进行原核表达,确定最佳诱导条件,在最佳条件下的诱导菌液经过离心收集菌体,并超声波破碎离心后对重组蛋白可溶性进行分析。利用xTractor Buffer和Glutathione Superflow树脂对重组蛋白进行纯化,并使用自制的抗GnIH鹅血清及抗鹅二抗通过Western blotting检测重组蛋白。结果显示,重组质粒Nov P-partical-GnIH经双酶切鉴定获得大小约为96 bp的目的基因条带,进一步测序结果证明重组质粒构建成功。诱导表达的重组蛋白分子质量约为64 ku,与预期大小一致,且在37℃、1.0 mmol/L IPTG、诱导2 h条件下表达量最高;菌体超声破碎后经SDS-PAGE检测,重组蛋白主要表达在沉淀中。重组蛋白与GST单抗及抗GnIH阳性血清均能反应,表明此重组蛋白具有较好的反应原性和免疫原性。本研究通过对Nov P-partical-GnIH蛋白原核表达及纯化成功获得了大量纯度较高的重组蛋白,将有助于进一步建立家鹅的繁殖性能免疫调控方法,为提高繁殖性能及调控繁殖机制的研究奠定基础。

Bioorthogonal Engineered Virus‑Like Nanoparticles for Efficient Gene Therapy

Gene therapy offers potentially transformative strategies for major human diseases.However,one of the key challenges in gene therapy is developing an effective strategy that could deliver genes into the specific tissue.Here,we report a novel virus-like nanoparticle,the bioorthgonal engineered viruslike recombinant biosome(reBiosome),for efficient gene therapies of cancer and inflammatory diseases.The mutant virus-like biosome(mBiosome)is first prepared by site-specific codon mutation for displaying 4-azido-L-phenylalanine on vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein of eBiosome at a rational site,and the reBiosome is then prepared by clicking weak acid-responsive hydrophilic polymer onto the mBiosome via bioorthogonal chemistry.The results show that the reBiosome exhibits reduced virus-like immunogenicity,prolonged blood circulation time and enhanced gene delivery efficiency to weakly acidic foci(like tumor and arthritic tissue).Furthermore,reBiosome demonstrates robust therapeutic efficacy in breast cancer and arthritis by delivering gene editing and silencing systems,respectively.In conclusion,this study develops a universal,safe and efficient platform for gene therapies for cancer and inflammatory diseases.

塑料颗粒对人体健康影响的研究进展

随着塑料制品在全球的大量使用,塑料污染日趋严重,由塑料破碎形成的塑料颗粒近年来受到广泛关注。塑料颗粒的来源多种多样,可以通过呼吸道吸入、消化道摄入、皮肤直接接触等方式进入人体,再通过氧化应激、炎症反应等机制对人体多个系统造成影响;另外,塑料颗粒还可与添加剂、重金属、细菌、病毒等有毒污染物共暴露,对人体产生影响。文章从塑料颗粒的定义、来源、进入人体的方式、检测方法以及对人体各个系统的影响进行总结,为后续防治塑料污染以减少塑料颗粒对人体的有害影响提供思路。

基于粒子群算法的数字控制伺服系统离线参数自寻优方法研究

由于伺服阀小信号流量特性存在一定散布,电液伺服系统的控制参数需要进行匹配调试,提出了一种基于粒子群算法的电液伺服系统控制参数离线自寻优方法,目标特性由控制系统任务书和人工调试结果确定,参数寻优范围根据伺服系统稳定性分析结果和批产工艺数据包络确定,寻优计算时间约为100~240 s。与人工调试相比,可以大幅提高电液伺服系统控制参数的批产调试效率。

基于PSO-ELM的变压器油纸绝缘状态无损评估方法

油浸式电力变压器作为电网的重要组成部分,其可靠运行至关重要。针对变压器长期运行后无法定量评估其绝缘状态的问题,文中开展了油纸绝缘模型的加速老化及受潮试验,探究了油纸绝缘老化及受潮程度对其回复电压曲线的影响规律,并提出采用粒子群优化-极限学习机(particle swarm optimization-extreme learning machine,PSO-ELM)算法的参数预测方法,实现了基于回复电压曲线特征参量的油纸绝缘老化与受潮状态量化评估。由油纸绝缘模型理化性能分析的对比结果可知,基于PSO-ELM方法的预测值精度远高于传统ELM方法,油纸绝缘内含水率及纸板聚合度预测的绝对误差范围分别小于±0.4%、±30。