Recent Progress in VLP Vaccine Development Against Various Pathogens

VLP-based vaccines have become a promising biopharmaceutical solution because they combine safety with strong immunogenicity and versatility. VLP-based vaccines take advantage of the self-assembly features of VLPs combined with their capacity to mimic viral structures without infectious material to develop adaptable platforms for prevention and therapy.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

Current research aims at creating therapeutic VLP vaccines for HBV which enhance the immune response to eliminate the virus. The HBcAg-based VLPs that contain immunogenic domains from HBsAg have been developed. The ability of these VLPs to trigger multivalent immune responses includes activation of T helper 1 cells and production of antibodies through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Adding the Myrcludex fragment to the VLP construct extends protection to escape mutants while decreasing viral pathogenesis.

Figure 1. Structural view of the designed virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccine for Hepatitis B Virus (Source: Mobini S, et al., 2020)

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

VLP-based vaccines targeting HPV have achieved great success. HPV vaccines contain VLPs made from the L1 protein which self-assemble into virus-mimicking particles. Current studies have investigated how VLPs can present multiple HPV antigens which may extend protection across different HPV strains. These vaccines achieve better immunogenic results through the addition of adjuvants such as AS04.

Ebola Virus VLP

Research has investigated VLPs as a basis for Ebola virus vaccines because they successfully trigger protective immune responses in laboratory animal studies. Researchers produce VLPs in insect cell systems where they integrate Ebola virus glycoproteins for stimulation of humoral and cellular immune responses. Because VLPs cannot cause infection they provide a more secure vaccine option compared to live-attenuated vaccines for the dangerous virus.

Influenza Virus

VLP-based influenza vaccine research demonstrates effective stimulation of wide-ranging immune reactions across various influenza strains. VLPs that express hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) proteins initiate the creation of cross-reactive antibodies which may protect against new influenza virus strains. The quick production capabilities of VLPs transform them into essential instruments during influenza pandemic responses.

SARS-CoV-2

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted extensive research into developing SARS-CoV-2 vaccines using VLP technology. Numerous VLP vaccine candidates that focus on the spike protein and particularly the receptor-binding domain (RBD) are now in the process of clinical evaluation. Vaccines generate neutralizing antibodies and cellular immune responses to defend against SARS-CoV-2 including its various strains. VLPs generate strong immune responses because they display numerous copies of the spike protein in its natural form.

Figure 2. Binding sites and antigenic regions of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (Source: Queiroz AMV, et al., 2021)

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)

Researchers are developing VLP-based vaccines for EBV while their studies explore ways to integrate different EBV antigens within VLP frameworks. Animal models demonstrate that VLPs trigger both antibody-mediated and cellular immune system reactions. The development of vaccines faces testing issues because suitable animal models for EBV infection do not exist although advancements in this area keep happening.

Figure 3. Determination of viral load and EBV gene expression in rabbits. (Source: Reguraman N, et al., 2023)

Zika Virus

Preclinical studies show that Zika virus VLP vaccines can generate protective immune responses. Zika virus envelope proteins presented by VLPs play essential roles in virus entry and neutralization.

Hepatitis B ELISA Kits

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Influenza ELISA Kits

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EBV ELISA Kits

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