A VLP-Based Vaccine Candidate Protects Mice against Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infection

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is the leading cause of epidemic encephalitis in Asia, and vaccination is the most effective way to prevent JE. Although several licensed vaccines were widely used, there is still a demand for developing safer, cheaper, and more effective JE vaccines. In the current...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Limin Yang, Aibo Xiao, Hu Wang, Xiaojuan Zhang, Yuan Zhang, Yunlong Li, Yanqiu Wei, Wenjun Liu, Chuangfu Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-01-01
Series:Vaccines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/10/2/197
Description
Summary:Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is the leading cause of epidemic encephalitis in Asia, and vaccination is the most effective way to prevent JE. Although several licensed vaccines were widely used, there is still a demand for developing safer, cheaper, and more effective JE vaccines. In the current study, a virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine candidate containing the envelope structural protein of JEV expressed by the <i>Pichia pastoris</i> was assembled in vitro. It elicited a robust humoral and cellular immune response in mice model, conferring immunodeficient mice complete protection against lethal doses of JEV challenge. Furthermore, pigs immunized with VLP alone without adjuvant via intramuscular produced high neutralizing antibodies against JEV. Consequently, this study showed a new design of JEV subunit vaccine based on VLP strategy and demonstrated the potential for clinical application.
ISSN:2076-393X