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da Silva Morgado F, Cahú R, de Jesus DC, de Souza Chaves LC, Ribeiro BM. Insect cell production of chimeric virus-like particles based on human immunodeficiency virus GAG proteins and yellow fever virus envelope protein. Braz J Microbiol 2024:10.1007/s42770-024-01509-5. [PMID: 39254800 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01509-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The yellow fever virus (YFV) is a single stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Orthoflavivirus that is capable of zoonotic transmissions that infect nonhuman and human primates. It is endemic in Brazil with recurrent epidemics of the disease, and it is transmitted through mosquitoes. The detection and immunization against YFV and other flaviviruses are fundamental for the management of the impacts of the disease in human environments. In an ongoing effort to develop new approaches for diagnostics and immunizations, we expressed VLPs displaying the yellow fever virus envelope protein (YFE) using recombinant baculovirus in insect cells. By co-expressing HIV-1 Pr55Gag protein (GAG) together with YFE we were able to generate chimeric VLPs containing a GAG core together with an envelope containing the YFE protein. The YFE and the chimeric GAG-YFE VLPs have potential as vaccine candidates and as reagents for serological assays in the detection of these viruses in human sera.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberta Cahú
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
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2
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Lampinen V, Gröhn S, Lehmler N, Jartti M, Hytönen VP, Schubert M, Hankaniemi MM. Production of norovirus-, rotavirus-, and enterovirus-like particles in insect cells is simplified by plasmid-based expression. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14874. [PMID: 38937523 PMCID: PMC11211442 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65316-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Insect cells have long been the main expression host of many virus-like particles (VLP). VLPs resemble the respective viruses but are non-infectious. They are important in vaccine development and serve as safe model systems in virus research. Commonly, baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) is used for VLP production. Here, we present an alternative, plasmid-based system for VLP expression, which offers distinct advantages: in contrast to BEVS, it avoids contamination by baculoviral particles and proteins, can maintain cell viability over the whole process, production of alphanodaviral particles will not be induced, and optimization of expression vectors and their ratios is simple. We compared the production of noro-, rota- and entero-VLP in the plasmid-based system to the standard process in BEVS. For noro- and entero-VLPs, similar yields could be achieved, whereas production of rota-VLP requires some further optimization. Nevertheless, in all cases, particles were formed, the expression process was simplified compared to BEVS and potential for the plasmid-based system was validated. This study demonstrates that plasmid-based transfection offers a viable option for production of noro-, rota- and entero-VLPs in insect cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vili Lampinen
- Virology and Vaccine Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Protein Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Stina Gröhn
- Virology and Vaccine Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Nina Lehmler
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute for Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, TU Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Minne Jartti
- Virology and Vaccine Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Vesa P Hytönen
- Protein Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere, Finland
| | - Maren Schubert
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute for Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, TU Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Minna M Hankaniemi
- Virology and Vaccine Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
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3
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Chakraborty M, Powichrowski J, Bruder MR, Nielsen L, Sung C, Boegel SJ, Aucoin MG. Probing Baculovirus Vector Gene Essentiality for Foreign Gene Expression Using a CRISPR-Cas9 System. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2829:127-156. [PMID: 38951331 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3961-0_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
The baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) has now found acceptance in both research laboratories and industry, which can be attributed to many of its key features including the limited host range of the vectors, their non-pathogenicity to humans, and the mammalian-like post-translational modification (PTMs) that can be achieved in insect cells. In fact, this system acts as a middle ground between prokaryotes and higher eukaryotes to produce complex biologics. Still, industrial use of the BEVS lags compared to other platforms. We have postulated that one reason for this has been a lack of genetic tools that can complement the study of baculovirus vectors, while a second reason is the co-production of the baculovirus vector with the desired product. While some genetic enhancements have been made to improve the BEVS as a production platform, the genome remains under-scrutinized. This chapter outlines the methodology for a CRISPR-Cas9-based transfection-infection assay to probe the baculovirus genome for essential/nonessential genes that can potentially maximize foreign gene expression under a promoter of choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhuja Chakraborty
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Powichrowski
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Mark R Bruder
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Lisa Nielsen
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Christopher Sung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Scott J Boegel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Marc G Aucoin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
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Shang Y, Ma Y, Tang S, Chen X, Feng H, Li L, Wang H, Zeng Z, Yao L, Zhang T, Zeng C, Luo Q, Wen G. Virus-Like Particles Based on the Novel Goose Parvovirus (NGPV) VP2 Protein Protect Ducks against NGPV Challenge. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1768. [PMID: 38140173 PMCID: PMC10748189 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel goose parvovirus (NGPV), a genetic variant of goose parvovirus, has been spreading throughout China since 2015 and mainly infects ducklings with the symptoms of growth retardation, beak atrophy, and protruding tongue, leading to huge economic losses every year. A safe and effective vaccine is urgently needed to control NGPV infection. In this study, virus-like particles (VLPs) of NPGV were assembled and evaluated for their immunogenicity. The VP2 protein of NGPV was expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells using baculovirus as vector. The VP2 protein was efficiently expressed in the nucleus of insect cells, and the particles with a circular or hexagonal shape and a diameter of approximately 30 nm, similar to the NGPV virion, were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The purified particles were confirmed to be composed of VP2 using western blot and TEM, indicating that the VLPs of NGPV were successfully assembled. Furthermore, the immunogenicity of the VLPs of NGPV was evaluated in Cherry Valley ducks. The level of NGPV serum antibodies increased significantly at 1-4 weeks post-immunization. No clinical symptoms or deaths of ducks occurred in all groups after being challenged with NGPV at 4 weeks post-immunization. There was no viral shedding in the immunized group. However, viral shedding was detected at 3-7 days post-challenge in the non-immunized group. Moreover, VLPs can protect ducks from histopathological lesions caused by NGPV and significantly reduce viral load in tissue at 5 days post-challenge. Based on these findings, NGPV VLPs are promising candidates for vaccines against NGPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China; (Y.S.); (Y.M.); (Z.Z.); (T.Z.)
| | - Yao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China; (Y.S.); (Y.M.); (Z.Z.); (T.Z.)
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China;
| | - Sheng Tang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China; (Y.S.); (Y.M.); (Z.Z.); (T.Z.)
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China;
| | - Xing Chen
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Wuhan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China;
| | - Helong Feng
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China; (Y.S.); (Y.M.); (Z.Z.); (T.Z.)
| | - Li Li
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China; (Y.S.); (Y.M.); (Z.Z.); (T.Z.)
| | - Hongcai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China; (Y.S.); (Y.M.); (Z.Z.); (T.Z.)
| | - Zhe Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China; (Y.S.); (Y.M.); (Z.Z.); (T.Z.)
| | - Lun Yao
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China; (Y.S.); (Y.M.); (Z.Z.); (T.Z.)
| | - Tengfei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China; (Y.S.); (Y.M.); (Z.Z.); (T.Z.)
| | - Chi Zeng
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China;
| | - Qingping Luo
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China; (Y.S.); (Y.M.); (Z.Z.); (T.Z.)
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, the People’s Government of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Guoyuan Wen
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China; (Y.S.); (Y.M.); (Z.Z.); (T.Z.)
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Bruder MR, Aucoin MG. Evaluation of Virus-Free Manufacture of Recombinant Proteins Using CRISPR-Mediated Gene Disruption in Baculovirus-Infected Insect Cells. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020225. [PMID: 36851104 PMCID: PMC9966935 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The manufacture and downstream processing of virus-like particles (VLPs) using the baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) is complicated by the presence of large concentrations of baculovirus particles, which are similar in size and density to VLPs, and consequently are difficult to separate. To reduce the burden of downstream processing, CRISPR-Cas9 technology was used to introduce insertion-deletion (indel) mutations within the Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) gp64 open reading frame, which encodes the major envelope protein of AcMNPV. After comfirming the site-specific targeting of gp64 leading to reduced budded virus (BV) release, the gag gene of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 was expressed to produce Gag VLPs. This approach was effective for producing VLPs using the BEVS whilst simultaneously obstructing BV release.
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Tariq H, Batool S, Asif S, Ali M, Abbasi BH. Virus-Like Particles: Revolutionary Platforms for Developing Vaccines Against Emerging Infectious Diseases. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:790121. [PMID: 35046918 PMCID: PMC8761975 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.790121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are nanostructures that possess diverse applications in therapeutics, immunization, and diagnostics. With the recent advancements in biomedical engineering technologies, commercially available VLP-based vaccines are being extensively used to combat infectious diseases, whereas many more are in different stages of development in clinical studies. Because of their desired characteristics in terms of efficacy, safety, and diversity, VLP-based approaches might become more recurrent in the years to come. However, some production and fabrication challenges must be addressed before VLP-based approaches can be widely used in therapeutics. This review offers insight into the recent VLP-based vaccines development, with an emphasis on their characteristics, expression systems, and potential applicability as ideal candidates to combat emerging virulent pathogens. Finally, the potential of VLP-based vaccine as viable and efficient immunizing agents to induce immunity against virulent infectious agents, including, SARS-CoV-2 and protein nanoparticle-based vaccines has been elaborated. Thus, VLP vaccines may serve as an effective alternative to conventional vaccine strategies in combating emerging infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasnat Tariq
- Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sannia Batool
- Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Saaim Asif
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad Ali
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan
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Prates-Syed WA, Chaves LCS, Crema KP, Vuitika L, Lira A, Côrtes N, Kersten V, Guimarães FEG, Sadraeian M, Barroso da Silva FL, Cabral-Marques O, Barbuto JAM, Russo M, Câmara NOS, Cabral-Miranda G. VLP-Based COVID-19 Vaccines: An Adaptable Technology against the Threat of New Variants. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:1409. [PMID: 34960155 PMCID: PMC8708688 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9121409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are a versatile, safe, and highly immunogenic vaccine platform. Recently, there are developmental vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic affected humanity worldwide, bringing out incomputable human and financial losses. The race for better, more efficacious vaccines is happening almost simultaneously as the virus increasingly produces variants of concern (VOCs). The VOCs Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta share common mutations mainly in the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD), demonstrating convergent evolution, associated with increased transmissibility and immune evasion. Thus, the identification and understanding of these mutations is crucial for the production of new, optimized vaccines. The use of a very flexible vaccine platform in COVID-19 vaccine development is an important feature that cannot be ignored. Incorporating the spike protein and its variations into VLP vaccines is a desirable strategy as the morphology and size of VLPs allows for better presentation of several different antigens. Furthermore, VLPs elicit robust humoral and cellular immune responses, which are safe, and have been studied not only against SARS-CoV-2 but against other coronaviruses as well. Here, we describe the recent advances and improvements in vaccine development using VLP technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasim A. Prates-Syed
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
- Institute of Research and Education in Child Health (PENSI), São Paulo 01228200, SP, Brazil
| | - Lorena C. S. Chaves
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Claudia Nance Rollins Building, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA;
| | - Karin P. Crema
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
- Institute of Research and Education in Child Health (PENSI), São Paulo 01228200, SP, Brazil
| | - Larissa Vuitika
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
| | - Aline Lira
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
- Institute of Research and Education in Child Health (PENSI), São Paulo 01228200, SP, Brazil
| | - Nelson Côrtes
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
- Institute of Research and Education in Child Health (PENSI), São Paulo 01228200, SP, Brazil
| | - Victor Kersten
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
| | | | - Mohammad Sadraeian
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, IFSC-USP, São Carlos 13566590, SP, Brazil; (F.E.G.G.); (M.S.)
- Institute for Biomedical Materials & Devices (IBMD), Faculty of Science, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Fernando L. Barroso da Silva
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040903, SP, Brazil;
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engeneering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Otávio Cabral-Marques
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Children’s Medical Center, Tehran 1419733151, Iran
| | - José A. M. Barbuto
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and Targeted Therapy in Onco-Immuno-Hematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 0124690, SP, Brazil
| | - Momtchilo Russo
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
| | - Niels O. S. Câmara
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
| | - Gustavo Cabral-Miranda
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), São Paulo 05508000, SP, Brazil; (W.A.P.-S.); (K.P.C.); (L.V.); (A.L.); (N.C.); (V.K.); (O.C.-M.); (J.A.M.B.); (M.R.); (N.O.S.C.)
- Institute of Research and Education in Child Health (PENSI), São Paulo 01228200, SP, Brazil
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Silva LA, Camargo BR, Araújo AC, Batista TL, Ribeiro BM, Ardisson-Araújo DMP. Easily purified baculovirus/insect-system-expressed recombinant hepatitis B virus surface antigen fused to the N- or C-terminus of polyhedrin. Arch Virol 2021; 167:345-354. [PMID: 34839419 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-021-05305-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Baculoviruses are circular double-stranded DNA viruses that infect insects and are widely used as the baculoviral expression vectors (BEVs), which provide a eukaryotic milieu for heterologous expression. The most frequently used vector is based on Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV). However, purification of recombinant proteins produced using BEVs is laborious, time-consuming, and often expensive. Numerous strategies have been explored to facilitate purification of heterologous proteins, such as fusion with occlusion body (OBs)-forming proteins like polyhedrin (Polh). Baculoviruses produce OBs in the late stages of infection to protect the virion in the cellular environment, and the main protein responsible for OB formation is Polh. In this study, we investigated the effect of fusing the gene that encodes the surface antigen (S-HBsAg) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to either the N- or C-terminus of the AcMNPV Polh. The production of recombinant viruses and recombinant proteins was confirmed, and the ability to form chimeric S-HBsAg-containing OBs was accessed by light and scanning electron microscopy of infected cells. The fusion was found to affect the shape and size of the OBs when compared to wild-type OBs, with the N-terminal fusion producing less-amorphous OBs than the C-terminal construct. In addition, the N-terminal construct gave higher levels of expression than the C-terminal construct. Quantitative and qualitative immunoassays with human serum or plasma antibodies against HBsAg showed that the two forms of the antigen reacted differently. Although both reacted with the antibody, the N-terminal fusion protein reacted with more sensitivity (2.27-fold) and is therefore more suitable for quantitative assays than the C-terminal version. In summary, the BEVs represents a promising tool for the production of reagents for the diagnosis of HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo A Silva
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Brenda R Camargo
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Araújo
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Taylice Leonel Batista
- Laboratory of Insect Virology, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910900, Brazil
| | - Bergmann M Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Daniel M P Ardisson-Araújo
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Insect Virology, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910900, Brazil.
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9
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Bernardino TC, Astray RM, Pereira CA, Boldorini VL, Antoniazzi MM, Jared SGS, Núñez EGF, Jorge SAC. Production of Rabies VLPs in Insect Cells by Two Monocistronic Baculoviruses Approach. Mol Biotechnol 2021; 63:1068-1080. [PMID: 34228257 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-021-00366-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Rabies is an ancient zoonotic disease that still causes the death of over 59,000 people worldwide each year. The rabies lyssavirus encodes five proteins, including the envelope glycoprotein and the matrix protein. RVGP is the only protein exposed on the surface of viral particle, and it can induce immune response with neutralizing antibody formation. RVM has the ability to assist with production process of virus-like particles. VLPs were produced in recombinant baculovirus system. In this work, two recombinant baculoviruses carrying the RVGP and RVM genes were constructed. From the infection and coinfection assays, we standardized the best multiplicity of infection and the best harvest time. Cell supernatants were collected, concentrated, and purified by sucrose gradient. Each step was used for protein detection through immunoassays. Sucrose gradient analysis enabled to verify the separation of VLPs from rBV. Through the negative contrast technique, we visualized structures resembling rabies VLPs produced in insect cells and rBV in the different fractions of the sucrose gradient. Using ELISA to measure total RVGP, the recovery efficiency of VLPs at each stage of the purification process was verified. Thus, these results encourage further studies to confirm whether rabies VLPs are a promising candidate for a veterinary rabies vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaissa Consoni Bernardino
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Viral, Instituto Butantan, Av Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, CEP, 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Renato Mancini Astray
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Viral, Instituto Butantan, Av Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, CEP, 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Carlos Augusto Pereira
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Viral, Instituto Butantan, Av Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, CEP, 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Vera Lucia Boldorini
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Viral, Instituto Butantan, Av Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, CEP, 05503-900, Brazil
| | | | | | - Eutimio Gustavo Fernández Núñez
- Grupo de Engenharia de Bioprocessos. Escola de Artes, Ciências E Humanidades (EACH), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Soraia Attie Calil Jorge
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Viral, Instituto Butantan, Av Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, CEP, 05503-900, Brazil.
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10
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Lopes-Luz L, Junqueira IC, da Silveira LA, de Melo Pereira BR, da Silva LA, Ribeiro BM, Nagata T. Dengue and Zika virus multi-epitope antigen expression in insect cells. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:7333-7340. [PMID: 32997310 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05772-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Dengue virus and Zika virus are arthropod-borne flaviviruses that cause millions of infections worldwide. The co-circulation of both viruses makes serological diagnosis difficult as they share high amino acid similarities in viral proteins. Antigens are one of the key reagents in the differential diagnosis of these viruses through the detection of IgG antibodies in serological assays during the convalescent-phase of infections. Here, we report the expression of Dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) antigens containing non-conserved and immunodominant amino acid sequences using the baculovirus expression vector system in insect cells. We designed DENV and ZIKV antigens based on the domain III of the E protein (EDIII) after analyzing previously reported epitopes and by multiple alignment of the most important flaviviruses. The ZIKV and DENV multi-epitope genes were designed as tandem repeats or impaired repeats separated by tetra- or hexa-glycine linkers. The biochemical analyses revealed adequate expression of the antigens. Then, the obtained multi-epitope antigens were semi-purified in a sucrose gradient and tested using patients' sera collected during the convalescent-phase that were previously diagnosed positive for anti-DENV and -ZIKV IgG antibodies. The optimal serum dilution was 1:200, and the mean absorbance values in the preliminary tests show that multi-epitope antigens have been recognized by human sera. The production of both antigens using the multi-epitope strategy in the eukaryotic system and based on the EDIII regions provide a proof of concept for the use of antigens in the differentiation between DENV and ZIKV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Lopes-Luz
- Campus Colemar Natal E Silva, Instituto de Patologia Tropical E Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-450, Brazil
| | - Isabela Cinquini Junqueira
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Campus Colemar Natal E Silva, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Lucimeire Antonelli da Silveira
- Campus Colemar Natal E Silva, Instituto de Patologia Tropical E Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-450, Brazil
| | | | - Leonardo Assis da Silva
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Bergmann Morais Ribeiro
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Tatsuya Nagata
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil.
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11
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Development of a non-viral platform for rapid virus-like particle production in Sf9 cells. J Biotechnol 2020; 322:43-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2020.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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12
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Reiter K, Pereira Aguilar P, Grammelhofer D, Joseph J, Steppert P, Jungbauer A. Separation of influenza virus-like particles from baculovirus by polymer-grafted anion exchanger. J Sep Sci 2020; 43:2270-2278. [PMID: 32187844 PMCID: PMC7318652 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201901215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The baculovirus expression vector system is a very powerful tool to produce virus‐like particles and gene‐therapy vectors, but the removal of coexpressed baculovirus has been a major barrier for wider industrial use. We used chimeric human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1) gag influenza‐hemagglutin virus‐like particles produced in Tnms42 insect cells using the baculovirus insect cell expression vector system as model virus‐like particles. A fast and simple purification method for these virus‐like particles with direct capture and purification within one chromatography step was developed. The insect cell culture supernatant was treated with endonuclease and filtered, before it was directly loaded onto a polymer‐grafted anion exchanger and eluted by a linear salt gradient. A 4.3 log clearance of baculovirus from virus‐like particles was achieved. The absence of the baculovirus capsid protein (vp39) in the product fraction was additionally shown by high performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. When considering a vaccination dose of 109 particles, 4200 doses can be purified per L pretreated supernatant, meeting the requirements for vaccines with <10 ng double‐stranded DNA per dose and 3.4 µg protein per dose in a single step. The process is simple with a very low number of handling steps and has the characteristics to become a platform for purification of these types of virus‐like particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Reiter
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patricia Pereira Aguilar
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Judith Joseph
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Steppert
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alois Jungbauer
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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13
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianxun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of VirologyWuhan Institute of VirologyCenter for Biosafety Mega‐ScienceChinese Academy of Sciences Wuhan 430071 China
- College of Life ScienceJiang Han University Wuhan 430056 China
| | - Zongqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of VirologyWuhan Institute of VirologyCenter for Biosafety Mega‐ScienceChinese Academy of Sciences Wuhan 430071 China
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14
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Cao W, Cao H, Yi X, Zhuang Y. Development of a simple and high-yielding fed-batch process for the production of porcine circovirus type 2 virus-like particle subunit vaccine. AMB Express 2019; 9:164. [PMID: 31605297 PMCID: PMC6789058 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-019-0880-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The cap protein is encoded by the orf2 gene of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has the main antigen epitope of PCV2 and can form virus-like particles (VLPs), which are expressed in insect cells. PCV2-VLPs can effectively inhibit PCV2 replication as a subunit vaccine. In this study, a robust and reliable fed-batch process was successfully developed for the production of PCV2-VLPs by Sf9 cells. The feeding solution, feeding strategy, and cell density at infection were optimized to maximize the final PCV2-VLPs production yields. The cell density at infection and the volumetric PCV2-VLPs production reached 12 × 106 cells/mL and 110 mg/L, respectively, which yielded 3- and 3.6-fold enhancements compared to the batch culture. The PCV2-VLPs produced in fed-batch culture were not different from the PCV2-VLPs produced in a batch culture in an immunity test. A highly efficient production process was produced for PCV2-VLPs subunit vaccines, which could provide an effective means for the industrial production of PCV2 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Cao
- School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Hui Cao
- Zhejiang EBVAC Biotech Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoping Yi
- School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| | - Yingping Zhuang
- School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
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15
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Development of a Combined Genetic Engineering Vaccine for Porcine Circovirus Type 2 and Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae by a Baculovirus Expression System. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184425. [PMID: 31505747 PMCID: PMC6770761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) are the main pathogens for mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS) and post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), respectively. Infection by these pathogens often happens together and causes great economic losses. In this study, a kind of recombinant baculovirus that can display P97R1P46P42 chimeric protein of Mhp and the capsid (Cap) protein of PCV2 was developed, and the protein location was identified. Another recombinant baculovirus was constructed without tag proteins (EGFP, mCherry) and was used to evaluate the immune effect in experiments with BALB/c mice and domestic piglets. Antigen proteins P97R1P46P42 and Cap were expressed successfully; both were anchored on the plasma membrane of cells and the viral envelope. It should be emphasized that in piglet immunization, the recombinant baculovirus vaccine achieved similar immunological effects as the mixed commercial vaccine. Both the piglet and mouse experiments showed that the recombinant baculovirus was able to induce humoral and cellular responses effectively. The results of this study indicate that this recombinant baculovirus is a potential candidate for the further development of more effective combined genetic engineering vaccines against MPS and PMWS. This experiment also provides ideas for vaccine development for other concomitant diseases using the baculovirus expression system.
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16
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Vasques RM, Correa RFT, da Silva LA, Blawid R, Nagata T, Ribeiro BM, Ardisson-Araújo DMP. Assembly of tomato blistering mosaic virus-like particles using a baculovirus expression vector system. Arch Virol 2019; 164:1753-1760. [PMID: 31025116 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-019-04262-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The expression of several structural proteins from a wide variety of viruses in heterologous cell culture systems results in the formation of virus-like particles (VLPs). These VLPs structurally resemble the wild-type virus particles and have been used to study viral assembly process and as antigens for diagnosis and/or vaccine development. Tomato blistering mosaic virus (ToBMV) is a tymovirus that has a 6.3-kb positive-sense ssRNA genome. We have employed the baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) for the production of tymovirus-like particles (tVLPs) in insect cells. Two recombinant baculoviruses containing the ToBMV wild-type coat protein (CP) gene or a modified short amino-terminal deletion (Δ2-24CP) variant were constructed and used to infect insect cells. Both recombinant viruses were able to express ToBMV CP and Δ2-24CP from infected insect cells that self-assembled into tVLPs. Therefore, the N-terminal residues (2-24) of the native ToBMV CP were shown not to be essential for self-assembly of tVLPs. We also constructed a third recombinant baculovirus containing a small sequence coding for the major epitope of the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) envelope protein 2 (E2) replacing the native CP N-terminal 2-24 amino acids. This recombinant virus also produced tVLPs. In summary, ToBMV VLPs can be produced in a baculovirus/insect cell heterologous expression system, and the N-terminal residues 2-24 of the CP are not essential for this assembly, allowing its potential use as a protein carrier that facilitates antigen purification and might be used for diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Medeiros Vasques
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Virology, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Leonardo Assis da Silva
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Rosana Blawid
- Laboratory of Phytovirology, Department of Agronomy, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Tatsuya Nagata
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Virology, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Bergmann Morais Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Daniel M P Ardisson-Araújo
- Laboratory of Insect Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil.
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17
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Yee CM, Zak AJ, Hill BD, Wen F. The Coming Age of Insect Cells for Manufacturing and Development of Protein Therapeutics. Ind Eng Chem Res 2018; 57:10061-10070. [PMID: 30886455 PMCID: PMC6420222 DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.8b00985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Protein therapeutics is a rapidly growing segment of the pharmaceutical market. Currently, the majority of protein therapeutics are manufactured in mammalian cells for their ability to generate safe and efficacious human-like glycoproteins. The high cost of using mammalian cells for manufacturing has motivated a constant search for alternative host platforms. Insect cells have begun to emerge as a promising candidate, largely due to the development of the baculovirus expression vector system. While there are continuing efforts to improve insect-baculovirus expression for producing protein therapeutics, key limitations including cell lysis and the lack of homogeneous humanized glycosylation still remain. The field has started to see a movement toward virus-less gene expression approaches, notably the use of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats to address these shortcomings. This review highlights recent technological advances that are realizing the transformative potential of insect cells for the manufacturing and development of protein therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M. Yee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,
Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Andrew J. Zak
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,
Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Brett D. Hill
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,
Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Fei Wen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,
Michigan 48109, United States
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