Thimmiraju SR, Kimata JT, Pollet J. Pseudoviruses, a safer toolbox for vaccine development against enveloped viruses.
Expert Rev Vaccines 2024;
23:174-185. [PMID:
38164690 DOI:
10.1080/14760584.2023.2299380]
[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] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Pseudoviruses are recombinant, replication-incompetent, viral particles designed to mimic the surface characteristics of native enveloped viruses. They are a safer, and cost-effective research alternative to live viruses. With the potential emergence of the next major infectious disease, more vaccine scientists must become familiar with the pseudovirus platform as a vaccine development tool to mitigate future outbreaks.
AREAS COVERED
This review aims at vaccine developers to provide a basic understanding of pseudoviruses, list their production methods, and discuss their utility to assess vaccine efficacy against enveloped viral pathogens. We further illustrate their usefulness as wet-lab simulators for emerging mutant variants, and new viruses to help prepare for current and future viral outbreaks, minimizing the need for gain-of-function experiments with highly infectious or lethal enveloped viruses.
EXPERT OPINION
With this platform, researchers can better understand the role of virus-receptor interactions and entry in infections, prepare for dangerous mutations, and develop effective vaccines.
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