N端融合外源蛋白的兔出血症病毒衣壳蛋白自聚能力的研究

将兔出血症病毒衣壳蛋白VP6 0基因插入杆状病毒转移载体pBLUEBACHIS2_B的 6 HIS表达标签下游 ,与线性化野生型杆状病毒基因组DNA共转染Sf9昆虫细胞 ,经蚀斑纯化后获克隆化重组杆状病毒pBLUEBACHIS2B_VP6 0。以重组杆状病毒感染Sf9细胞 ,经SDS_PAGE和Westernblot检测显示高效表达一分子量为 6 9kD的重组蛋白 ,并且该蛋白可被兔抗RHDV高免血清识别。血凝试验表明 ,该重组蛋白可以凝集人“O”型红细胞 ,血凝价达 2 1 6 ,同时 ,该血凝性可被抗RHDV的高免血清所抑制。经电镜观察 ,重组病毒表达的融合有 6 HIS表达标签的衣壳蛋白仍可在昆虫细胞内自聚成不包裹核酸的、与天然RHDV病毒粒子在物理形态上相似的病毒样颗粒 (VLPs) ,并且该VLPs与兔抗RHDV高免血清作用后于电镜下可见凝集成团的现象 ,表明其与天然RHDV病毒粒子在抗原性上也极为相似     

Protection against myxomatosis and rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease with recombinant myxoma viruses expressing rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus capsid protein.

Two myxoma virus-rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) recombinant viruses were constructed with the SG33 strain of myxoma virus to protect rabbits against myxomatosis and rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease. These recombinant viruses expressed the RHDV capsid protein (VP60). The recombinant protein, which is 60 kDa in size, was antigenic, as revealed by its reaction in immunoprecipitation with antibodies raised against RHDV. Both recombinant viruses induced high levels of RHDV- and myxoma virus-specific antibodies in rabbits after immunization. Inoculations by the intradermal route protected animals against virulent RHDV and myxoma virus challenges.     

兔出血症病毒VP60基因在昆虫细胞中形成病毒样颗粒及其特性

目的将兔出血症病毒（RHDV）VP60全长基因在昆虫细胞-杆状病毒系统中表达,验证重组蛋白形成病毒样颗粒（VLPs）的能力及其生物学特性,探讨VLPs作为检测抗原及亚单位疫苗的潜力。方法用Bac-to-Bac系统体外表达RHDVVP60全长基因。以免疫荧光及Western blotting检测蛋白表达情况及确定蛋白最佳表达条件;免疫电镜观察VLPs形态,并对VLPs的血凝性、免疫原性进行检测。结果SDS-PAGE电泳分析表明,表达的重组蛋白分子量大小约为68KDa,在免疫荧光、琼脂扩散、ELISA试验中均与RHD多克隆抗血清特异性反应;接种重组病毒的Sf9细胞裂解液在电镜下可观察到与RHDV形态相似的VLPs;该VLPs可凝集人“O”、“B”型红细胞,凝集可被RHD多克隆抗血清所抑制;含VLPs的Sf9细胞裂解液可不经纯化用作间接ELISA抗原,所建立的ELISA方法与进口商品化试剂盒相比,特异性良好,敏感性、检出率稍低;将含VLPs的细胞裂解液加氟氏佐剂免疫兔,HI效价可达1∶40,可经受致死量病毒攻击。结论RHDV-VLPs的获得及其良好的免疫原性,为RHD血清学检测试剂的标准化、亚单位疫苗研制应用奠定基础,同时在转移载体及RHDV受体方面研究亦有潜在应用价值。     

Gene transfer using recombinant rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus capsids with genetically modified DNA encapsidation capacity by addition of packaging sequences from the L1 or L2 protein of human papillomavirus type 16

The aim of this study was to produce gene transfer vectors consisting of plasmid DNA packaged into virus-like particles (VLPs) with different cell tropisms. For this purpose, we have fused the N-terminally truncated VP60 capsid protein of the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) with sequences which are expected to be sufficient to confer DNA packaging and gene transfer properties to the chimeric VLPs. Each of the two putative DNA-binding sequences of major L1 and minor L2 capsid proteins of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) were fused at the N terminus of the truncated VP60 protein. The two recombinant chimeric proteins expressed in insect cells self-assembled into VLPs similar in size and appearance to authentic RHDV virions. The chimeric proteins had acquired the ability to bind DNA. The two chimeric VLPs were therefore able to package plasmid DNA. However, only the chimeric VLPs containing the DNA packaging signal of the L1 protein were able efficiently to transfer genes into Cos-7 cells at a rate similar to that observed with papillomavirus L1 VLPs. It was possible to transfect only a very limited number of RK13 rabbit cells with the chimeric RHDV capsids containing the L2-binding sequence. The chimeric RHDV capsids containing the L1-binding sequence transfer genes into rabbit and hare cells at a higher rate than do HPV-16 L1 VLPs. However, no gene transfer was observed in human cell lines. The findings of this study demonstrate that the insertion of a DNA packaging sequence into a VLP which is not able to encapsidate DNA transforms this capsid into an artificial virus that could be used as a gene transfer vector. This possibility opens the way to designing new vectors with different cell tropisms by inserting such DNA packaging sequences into the major capsid proteins of other viruses.     

表达兔出血症病毒VP60蛋白的重组兔粘液瘤病毒的构建与初步评价

兔出血症病毒 (Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus,RHDV) 及兔粘液瘤病毒 (Myxoma virus,MYXV) 分别引起兔出血症 (兔瘟) 和兔粘液瘤病,是两种严重危害家兔养殖业以及导致原产地欧洲野兔-穴兔 (Oryctolagus cuniculus) 种群近濒危的重要病原。VP60为构成RHDV衣壳的主要抗原蛋白。为研制能同时免疫预防该两种疫病的重组二联疫苗,本研究分别以MYXV和其复制非必需基因——胸腺激酶 (Thymidine kinase,TK) 基因为重组载体和同源重组靶基因,构建穿梭载体p7.5-VP60-GFP。将p7.5-VP60-GFP载体转染被MYXV感染的兔肾细胞株RK13,经同源重组后,在荧光显微镜下筛选出表达GFP的重组病毒,并将其命名为rMV-VP60-GFP。通过PCR和Western blotting进行重组病毒vp60基因特异性插入和表达验证结果显示,vp60和gfp基因成功插入MYXV基因组中并且可成功表达,表明成功构建了表达RHDV衣壳蛋白基因vp60的重组MYXV。动物攻毒保护试验表明,制备的重组病毒能保护家兔抵抗MYXV的致死性攻击,这为后续疫苗的研发奠定了基础。     

Recombinant rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus capsid protein expressed in baculovirus self-assembles into viruslike particles and induces protection.

VP60, the unique component of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus capsid, was expressed in the baculovirus system. The recombinant VP60, released in the supernatant of infected insect cells, assembled without the need of any other viral component to form viruslike particles (VLPs), structurally and immunologically indistinguishable from the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virion. Intramuscular vaccination of rabbits with the VLPs conferred complete protection in 15 days; this protection was found to be effective from the fifth day after VLP injection and was accompanied by a strong humoral response.     

Horizontal transmissible protection against myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease by using a recombinant myxoma virus

We have developed a new strategy for immunization of wild rabbit populations against myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) that uses recombinant viruses based on a naturally attenuated field strain of myxoma virus (MV). The recombinant viruses expressed the RHDV major capsid protein (VP60) including a linear epitope tag from the transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) nucleoprotein. Following inoculation, the recombinant viruses induced specific antibody responses against MV, RHDV, and the TGEV tag. Immunization of wild rabbits by the subcutaneous and oral routes conferred protection against virulent RHDV and MV challenges. The recombinant viruses showed a limited horizontal transmission capacity, either by direct contact or in a flea-mediated process, promoting immunization of contact uninoculated animals.     

Effect of MOI ratio on the composition and yield of chimeric infectious bursal disease virus-like particles by baculovirus co-infection: deterministic predictions and experimental results

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are empty particles consisting of virus capsid proteins that closely resemble native virus but are devoid of the native viral nucleic acids and therefore have attracted significant attention as noninfectious vaccines. A recombinant baculovirus, vIBD-7, which encodes the structural proteins (VP2, VP3, and VP4) of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), produces native IBD VLPs in infected Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells. Another baculovirus, vEDLH-22, encodes VP2 that is fused with a histidine affinity-tag (VP2H) at the C-terminus. By co-infection with these two baculoviruses, hybrid VLPs with histidine tags were formed and purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (Hu et al., 1999). Also, we demonstrated that varying the MOI ratio of these infecting viruses altered the extent of VP2H incorporated into the particles. A dynamic mathematical model that described baculovirus infection and VLP synthesis (Hu and Bentley, 2000) was adapted here for co-infection and validated by immunofluorescence labeling. It was shown to predict the VLP composition as a dynamic function of MOI. A constraint in the VP2H content incorporated into the particles was predicted and shown by experiments. Also, the MOI ratio of both infecting viruses was shown to be the major factor influencing the composition of the hybrid particles and an important factor in determining the overall yield. ELISA results confirmed that VP2H was exhibited to a varied extent on the outer surface of the particles. This model provides insight on the use of virus co-infection in virus-mediated recombinant protein expression systems and aids in the optimization of chimeric VLP synthesis.     

兔出血症病毒衣壳蛋白基因在毕赤酵母中的表达

将RHDVVP60基因插入酵母转移载体pPICZB中转化毕赤酵母菌GS115株 ,经筛选获得染色体基因组中整合入VP60基因的重组酵母菌。以甲醇诱导培养后经SDS-PAGE和Westernblot检测表达产物 ,在60kD处出现一特异蛋白条带 ,表明RHDV的衣壳蛋白得到了成功表达。血凝试验表明 ,表达的重组蛋白具有血凝特性 ,可以凝集人“O”型红细胞 ,血凝价达 2.8,同时 ,该血凝性可被抗RHDV的高免血清所抑制。经电镜观察 ,重组酵母表达的衣壳蛋白可以在酵母菌体内自聚成大小约4.0nm ,和天然RHDV病毒子在物理形态上类似的病毒样颗粒 (VLPs)。该病毒样颗粒与兔抗RHDV高免血清作用后可被凝集成团 ,表明该VLPs与天然RHDV在抗原性上也极为相似。     

Modeling rotavirus-like particles production in a baculovirus expression vector system: Infection kinetics, baculovirus DNA replication, mRNA synthesis and protein production

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhoea in children worldwide, responsible for more than half a million deaths in children per year. Rotavirus-like particles (Rota VLPs) are excellent vaccine candidates against rotavirus infection, since they are non-infectious, highly immunogenic, amenable to large-scale production and safer to produce than those based on attenuated viruses. This work focuses on the analysis and modeling of the major events taking place inside Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf-9) cells infected by recombinant baculovirus that may be critical for the expression of rotavirus viral proteins (VPs). For model validation, experiments were performed adopting either a co-infection strategy, using three monocistronic recombinant baculovirus each one coding for viral proteins VP(2), VP(6) and VP(7), or single-infection strategies using a multigene baculovirus coding for the three proteins of interest. A characteristic viral DNA (vDNA) replication rate of 0.19+/-0.01 h(-1) was obtained irrespective of the monocistronic or multigene vector employed, and synthesis of progeny virus was found to be negligible in comparison to intracellular vDNA concentrations. The timeframe for vDNA, mRNA and VP synthesis tends to decrease with increasing multiplicity of infection (MOI) due to the metabolic burden effect. The protein synthesis rates could be ranked according to the gene size in the multigene experiments but not in the co-infection experiments. The model exhibits acceptable prediction power of the dynamics of intracellular vDNA replication, mRNA synthesis and VP production for the three proteins involved. This model is intended to be the basis for future Rota VLPs process optimisation and also a means to evaluating different baculovirus constructs for Rota VLPs production.     

High-level expression and immunogenic properties of the recombinant rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus VP60 capsid protein obtained in Pichia pastoris

The VP60 capsid protein from rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) (Spanish isolate AST/89) was cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris. The transformed yeast was grown at high cell density and an expression level of about 1.5 g VP60L(-1) culture was obtained. The protein was detected associated with the cell debris fraction of the recombinant yeast after mechanical disruption. It was purified by a simple method and was obtained N-glycosylated with purity of approximately 70% as deduced from densitometry scan analysis. The recombinant product was antigenically similar to the native capsid protein as determined with polyclonal antibodies obtained from rabbits vaccinated with VP60 protein purified from native virus. The immunogenicity of VP60 protein purified from P. pastoris was demonstrated by ELISA in a vaccination experiment conducted with two groups of rabbits subcutaneously immunized. Animals vaccinated with VP60 in Freund's incomplete adjuvant developed a significant (p<0.01) virus-specific antibody response while the group injected with placebo remained seronegative. Preliminary results showed that the antigen administered within the cell debris fraction of the transformed yeast protected rabbits immunized by the oral route against an intramuscular challenge with 100 LD50 (16,000 hemagglutination units) of homologous virus.     

Characterization of virus-like particles produced by the expression of rotavirus capsid proteins in insect cells.

Rotaviruses are triple-layered particles that contain four major capsid proteins, VP2, VP4, VP6, and VP7, and two minor proteins, VP1 and VP3. We have cloned each of the rotavirus genes coding for a major capsid protein into the baculovirus expression system and expressed each protein in insect cells. Coexpression of different combinations of the rotavirus major structural proteins resulted in the formation of stable virus-like particles (VLPs). The coexpression of VP2 and VP6 alone or with VP4 resulted in the production of VP2/6 or VP2/4/6 VLPs, which were similar to double-layered rotavirus particles. Coexpression of VP2, VP6, and VP7, with or without VP4, produced triple-layered VP2/6/7 or VP2/4/6/7 VLPs, which were similar to native infectious rotavirus particles. The VLPs maintained the structural and functional characteristics of native particles, as determined by electron microscopic examination of the particles, the presence of nonneutralizing and neutralizing epitopes on VP4 and VP7, and hemagglutination activity of the VP2/4/6/7 VLPs. The production of VP2/4/6 particles indicated that VP4 interacts with VP6. Cell binding assays performed with each of the VLPs indicated that VP4 is the viral attachment protein. Chimeric particles containing VP7 from two different G serotypes also were obtained. The ability to express individual proteins or to coexpress different subsets of proteins provides a system with which to examine the interactions of the rotavirus structural proteins, the role of individual proteins in virus morphogenesis, and the feasibility of a subunit vaccine.     

兔出血症病毒遗传变异分析及RT—PCR检测方法的建立

目的获得兔出血症病毒（浙江分离株）近20年间遗传变异概况,建立兔出血症病毒的RT—PCR检测方法。方法对1989～2006年间的7株RHDV浙江分离株的衣壳蛋白基因（VP60）进行了克隆与测序,并与国内、外RHDV的基因组序列进行了遗传比对和分析;根据兔出血症病毒株的VP60设计引物,对20只人工感染兔的实质脏器、全血和350只实验兔全血样本进行了检测。结果7株RHDV的VP60基因均由1740个核苷酸组成,编码580个氨基酸。它们与参考序列之间的氨基酸同源性为94.0%～99.8%。系统发生树分析结果显示,RHDV可划分为2个大的基因群,浙江（中国）的RHDV分离株主要集中于C亚群。RT—PCR检测方法表明20只实验兔全部扩出预期条带,而350只实验兔全血检测中出现13只RHDV可疑样本。经血凝抑制试验检测,13例PCR阳性样品中有10个HAI阳性,3个阴性。检测敏感度达100%,特异性为99.12%,经统计检验,kappa=0.865,表明PCR检出RHDV的结果与HAI高度一致。结论RHDV基因群之间的遗传距离有逐渐加大的趋势。我们建立的RT—PCR法可用于RHDV浙江分离株的检测,用RT—PCR检测全血中RHDV方法的建立为活体检测RHDV打下了基础。     

Incorporation of pseudorabies virus gD into human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Gag particles produced in baculovirus-infected cells.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Pr55gag precursors were previously shown to assemble and bud efficiently as noninfectious virus-like particles (VLPs) when expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells. In this study, we examined the abilities of foreign antigens to be incorporated on the outer surface of HIV-1 Gag particles. We have used a dual recombinant baculovirus, expressing the HIV-1 Gag gene and gD gene under the control of the P10 and polyhedrin promoters, respectively, to obtain hybrid VLPs. Transmission electron microscopy of insect cells infected with the dual recombinant revealed very large aggregates of particles budding from the cell membrane. The release of VLPs into the culture medium was clearly different for a recombinant baculovirus producing solely HIV-1 Gag, for which particles were uniformly distributed all around the cell surface. Biochemical analysis of hybrid particles indicated that glycoprotein gD was packaged into HIV-1 Gag VLPs. Moreover, the carboxy-terminal p6 region of Gag polyprotein and the glycoprotein gD intracytoplasmic domain were not required for gD incorporation. The experiments described here clearly demonstrate that glycoprotein gD can be packaged with HIV-1 Gag particles and released from insect cells.     

Essential elements of the capsid protein for self-assembly into empty virus-like particles of hepatitis E virus

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a noncultivable virus that causes acute liver failure in humans. The virus's major capsid protein is encoded by an open reading frame 2 (ORF2) gene. When the recombinant protein consisting of amino acid (aa) residues 112 to 660 of ORF2 is expressed with a recombinant baculovirus, the protein self-assembles into virus-like particles (VLPs) (T.-C. Li, Y. Yamakawa, K. Suzuki, M. Tatsumi, M. A. Razak, T. Uchida, N. Takeda, and T. Miyamura, J. Virol. 71:7207-7213, 1997). VLPs can be found in the culture medium of infected Tn5 cells but not in that of Sf9 cells, and the major VLPs have lost the C-terminal 52 aa. To investigate the protein requirement for HEV VLP formation, we prepared 14 baculovirus recombinants to express the capsid proteins truncated at the N terminus, the C terminus, or both. The capsid protein consisting of aa residues 112 to 608 formed VLPs in Sf9 cells, suggesting that particle formation is dependent on the modification process of the ORF2 protein. In the present study, electron cryomicroscopy and image processing of VLPs produced in Sf9 and Tn5 cells indicated that they possess the same configurations and structures. Empty VLPs were found in both Tn5 and Sf9 cells infected with the recombinant containing an N-terminal truncation up to aa residue 125 and C-terminal to aa residue 601, demonstrating that the aa residues 126 to 601 are the essential elements required for the initiation of VLP assembly. The recombinant HEV VLPs are potential mucosal vaccine carrier vehicles for the presentation of foreign antigenic epitopes and may also serve as vectors for the delivery of genes to mucosal tissue for DNA vaccination and gene therapy. The results of the present study provide useful information for constructing recombinant HEV VLPs having novel functions.     

Pea-derived vaccines demonstrate high immunogenicity and protection in rabbits against rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus

Vaccines against rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) are commercially produced in experimentally infected rabbits. A genetically engineered and manufactured version of the major structural protein of RHDV (VP60) is considered to be an alternative approach for vaccine production. Plants have the potential to become an excellent recombinant production system, but the low expression level and insufficient immunogenic potency of plant‐derived VP60 still hamper its practical use. In this study, we analysed the expression of a novel multimeric VP60‐based antigen in four different plant species, including Nicotiana tabacum L., Solanum tuberosum L., Brassica napus L. and Pisum sativum L. Significant differences were detected in the expression patterns of the novel fusion antigen cholera toxin B subunit (CTB)::VP60 (ctbvp60_SEKDEL) at the mRNA and protein levels. Pentameric CTB::VP60 molecules were only detected in N. tabacum and P. sativum, and displayed equal levels of CTB, at approximately 0.01% of total soluble protein (TSP), and traces of detectable VP60. However, strong enhancement of the CTB protein content via self‐fertilization was only observed in P. sativum, where it reached up to 0.7% of TSP. In rabbits, a strong decrease in the protective vaccine dose required from 48–400 µg potato‐derived VP60 [ Castanon, S., Marin, M.S., Martin‐Alonso, J.M., Boga, J.A., Casais, R., Humara, J.M., Ordas, R.J. and Parra, F. (1999) Immunization with potato plants expressing VP60 protein protects against rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus. J. Virol. 73 , 4452–4455; Castanon, S., Martin‐Alonso, J.M., Marin, M.S., Boga, J.A., Alonso, P., Parra, F. and Ordas, R.J. (2002) The effect of the promoter on expression of VP60 gene from rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus in potato plants. Plant Sci. 162 , 87–95] to 0.56–0.28 µg antigenic VP60 (measured with VP60 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) of crude CTB::VP60 pea extracts was demonstrated. Rabbits immunized with pea‐derived CTB::VP60 showed anti‐VP60‐specific antibodies, similar to RikaVacc^®‐immunized rabbits, and survived RHDV challenge.     

Expression of recombinant capsid proteins of chitta virus, a genogroup II Norwalk virus, and development of an ELISA to detect the viral antigen

The second open reading frame (ORF2) gene of the Chitta virus (CHV) was cloned to construct a recombinant baculovirus. The CHV ORF2 is predicted to encode a capsid protein of 535 amino acids (aa). CHV showed a high aa identity in the capsid region with genogroup II Norwalk virus (NV) (65-85%), but a low aa identity with genogroup I NV (44-46%). Phylogenetic analysis of the ORF2 gene demonstrated that CHV is genetically closely related to the Hawaii virus included in genogroup II NV. The recombinant capsid protein of CHV (rCHV) self-assembled to form empty virus-like particles (VLPs) when expressed in insect cells with the recombinant baculovirus. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on antisera to rCHV was developed to detect CHV antigen in stools. The antigen ELISA appeared to be highly specific to both rCHV and CHV-like strains. In addition, combined use of antigen ELISAs using antibodies against two antigenically distinct recombinant VLPs, the recombinant Chiba virus (rCV) and recombinant Seto virus (rSEV), enabled us to determine the genetic as well as antigenic relationship among these three viruses.     

The maturation process of pVP2 requires assembly of infectious bursal disease virus capsids

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is a nonenveloped avian virus with a two-segment double-stranded RNA genome. Its T=13 icosahedral capsid is most probably assembled with 780 subunits of VP2 and 600 copies of VP3 and has a diameter of about 60 nm. VP1, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, resides inside the viral particle. Using a baculovirus expression system, we first observed that expression of the pVP2-VP4-VP3 polyprotein encoded by the genomic segment IBDA results mainly in the formation of tubules with a diameter of about 50 nm and composed of pVP2, the precursor of VP2. Very few virus-like particles (VLPs) and VP4 tubules with a diameter of about 25 nm were also identified. The inefficiency of VLP assembly was further investigated by expression of additional IBDA-derived constructs. Expression of pVP2 without any other polyprotein components results in the formation of isometric particles with a diameter of about 30 nm. VLPs were observed mainly when a large exogeneous polypeptide sequence (the green fluorescent protein sequence) was fused to the VP3 C-terminal domain. Large numbers of VLPs were visualized by electron microscopy, and single particles were shown to be fluorescent by standard and confocal microscopy analysis. Moreover, the final maturation process converting pVP2 into the VP2 mature form was observed on generated VLPs. We therefore conclude that the correct scaffolding of the VP3 can be artificially induced to promote the formation of VLPs and that the final processing of pVP2 to VP2 is controlled by this particular assembly. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the engineering of a morphogenesis switch to control a particular type of capsid protein assembly.     

Improved Production Efficiency of Virus-Like Particles by the Baculovirus Expression Vector System

Vaccines based on virus-like particles (VLPs) have proven effective in humans and animals. In this regard, the baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) is one of the technologies of choice to generate such highly immunogenic vaccines. The extended use of these vaccines for human and animal populations is constrained because of high production costs, therefore a significant improvement in productivity is crucial to ensure their commercial viability. Here we describe the use of the previously described baculovirus expression cassette, called TB, to model the production of two VLP-forming vaccine antigens in insect cells. Capsid proteins from porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2 Cap) and from the calicivirus that causes rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV VP60) were expressed in insect cells using baculoviruses genetically engineered with the TB expression cassette. Productivity was compared to that obtained using standard counterpart vectors expressing the same proteins under the control of the polyhedrin promoter. Our results demonstrate that the use of the TB expression cassette increased the production yields of these vaccine antigens by around 300% with respect to the standard vectors. The recombinant proteins produced by TB-modified vectors were fully functional, forming VLPs identical in size and shape to those generated by the standard baculoviruses, as determined by electron microscopy analysis. The use of the TB expression cassette implies a simple modification of the baculovirus vectors that significantly improves the cost efficiency of VLP-based vaccine production, thereby facilitating the commercial viability and broad application of these vaccines for human and animal health.     

Heterologous RNA encapsidated in Pariacoto virus-like particles forms a dodecahedral cage similar to genomic RNA in wild-type virions

The genome of some icosahedral RNA viruses plays an essential role in capsid assembly and structure. In T=3 particles of the nodavirus Pariacoto virus (PaV), a remarkable 35% of the single-stranded RNA genome is icosahedrally ordered. This ordered RNA can be visualized at high resolution by X-ray crystallography as a dodecahedral cage consisting of 30 24-nucleotide A-form RNA duplex segments that each underlie a twofold icosahedral axis of the virus particle and interact extensively with the basic N-terminal region of 60 subunits of the capsid protein. To examine whether the PaV genome is a specific determinant of the RNA structure, we produced virus-like particles (VLPs) by expressing the wild-type capsid protein open reading frame from a recombinant baculovirus. VLPs produced by this system encapsidated similar total amounts of RNA as authentic virus particles, but only about 6% of this RNA was PaV specific, the rest being of cellular or baculovirus origin. Examination of the VLPs by electron cryomicroscopy and image reconstruction at 15.4-A resolution showed that the encapsidated RNA formed a dodecahedral cage similar to that of wild-type particles. These results demonstrate that the specific nucleotide sequence of the PaV genome is not required to form the dodecahedral cage of ordered RNA.