Characterization and Immunogenicity of a Novel Chimeric Hepatitis B Core-Virus Like Particles (Cvlps) Carrying Rotavirus Vp8*Protein in Mice Model Publisher Pubmed



Latifi T^{1, 2} ; Jalilvand S¹ ; Golsazshirazi F³ ; Arashkia A^{2, 4} ; Kachooei A^{2, 5} ; Afchangi A^{1, 2} ; Zafarian S^{2, 6} ; Roohvand F² ; Shoja Z^{2, 4}
Source: Virology Published:2023

Abstract

Given the efficacy and safety issues of the WHO for approved/prequalified live attenuated rotavirus (RV) vaccines, studies on alternative non-replicating modals and proper RV antigens are actively undertaken. Herein, we report the novel chimeric hepatitis B core-virus like particles (VLPs) carrying RV VP8*26-231 protein of a P [8] strain (cVLPVP8*), as a parenteral VLP RV vaccine candidate. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analyses indicated the expected size of the E. coli-derived HBc-VP8* protein that self-assembled to cVLPVP8* particles. Immunization in mice indicated development of higher levels of IgG and IgA as well as higher IgG1/IgG2a ratios by cVLPVP8* vaccination compared to the VP8* alone. Assessment of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) indicated development of heterotypic nAbs with cross-reactivity to a heterotypic RV strain by cVLPVP8* immunization compared to VP8* alone. The observed anti-VP8* cross-reactivity might indicate the possibility of developing a Pan-genomic RVA vaccine based on the cVLPVP8* formulation that deserves further challenge studies. © 2023 Elsevier Inc.