title: A comparison of immunogenicity of norovirus GII-4 virus-like particles and P-particles.
abstract: Norovirus (NoV) -derived virus-like particles (VLPs) resemble empty shells of the virus and NoV P-particles contain only protruding domains of the NoV capsid. Both NoV-derived subviral particles show similar functionality and antigenicity in vitro and are considered to be potential vaccine candidates against NoV gastroenteritis. BALB/c mice were immunized with baculovirus-produced GII-4 VLPs or the corresponding Escherichia coli-produced P-particles by the intramuscular or intradermal route and the NoV-specific antibody and T-cell immune responses were compared. Elevated antibody levels were induced with a single VLP immunization, whereas P-particle immunization required a boost. High avidity antibodies were raised only by VLP immunization. VLP immunization resulted in a balanced T helper type 1/type 2 immune response whereas P-particles induced a T helper type 2-biased response. Only VLP immunization primed T cells for interferon-γ production. Most importantly, cross-reactive B and T cells were induced solely by VLP immunization. In addition, VLP antiserum blocked the binding of heterotypic VLPs to human histo-blood group antigen receptor and saliva. The findings in this study are relevant for the development of NoV vaccines.
authors: Vaccine Research Centre, University of Tampere Medical School, Biokatu, Finland. kirsi.tamminen@uta.fi
authors: Kirsi
authors: K
authors: Tamminen
authors: Leena
authors: L
authors: Huhti
authors: Tiia
authors: T
authors: Koho
authors: Suvi
authors: S
authors: Lappalainen
authors: Vesa P
authors: VP
authors: Hytönen
authors: Timo
authors: T
authors: Vesikari
authors: Vesna
authors: V
authors: Blazevic
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D029322:Norovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D058425:Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D058425:Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle; D007371:Interferon-gamma