Hepatitis C virus-like particles synthesized in insect cells as a potential vaccine candidate.
OBJECTIVE
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis in the world. Successful vaccine development is crucial in controlling global HCV infection. We have previously described the generation of HCV-like particles (HCV-LPs) in insect cells using a recombinant baculovirus containing the complementary DNA of the HCV structural proteins. These HCV-LPs had similar morphological and biophysical properties as the putative virions. In this study, we analyzed the structural features, antigenic composition, seroreactivity, and immunogenicity of purified HCV-LPs.


METHODS
HCV-LPs were analyzed by electron microscopy and antibody immunolabeling and precipitation. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using HCV-LPs was developed. The humoral response to HCV-LPs in mice was studies by core and envelope ELISAs, Western immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence.


RESULTS
Structural and antigenic compositions of HCV-LPs were shown to be similar to those of putative HCV virions. Using the HCV-LP ELISA, high-titer anti-HCV antibodies were detected in individuals infected with various HCV genotypes. In vivo, HCV-LPs elicited a humoral response broadly directed against HCV structural proteins.


CONCLUSIONS
HCV-LPs resemble HCV virions and are capable of inducing a humoral response targeted against various regions of HCV structural proteins, suggesting that HCV-LPs may be promising as a potential vaccine candidate.
Baumert
T F
TF
Liver Diseases Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1800, USA.
Vergalla
J
J
Satoi
J
J
Thomson
M
M
Lechmann
M
M
Herion
D
D
Greenberg
H B
HB
Ito
S
S
Liang
T J
TJ
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006031:Glycosylation; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007313:Insecta; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000235:genetics*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000235:genetics*; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014779:Virus Replication
D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins