Research Article

Virus-like particles coexpressing the PreF and Gt antigens of respiratory syncytial virus confer protection in mice

Medical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species & Biomedical Science Institute, School of Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea

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Su-Hwa Lee

Department of Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea

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Min-Ju Kim

Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea

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Ah-Ra Kim

Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea

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Eun-Kyung Moon

Department of Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea

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Fu-Shi Quan

*Author for correspondence: Tel.: +822 961 2302;

E-mail Address: fsquan@khu.ac.kr

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0419-9339

Medical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species & Biomedical Science Institute, School of Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea

Department of Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea

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Published Online:14 Sep 2022https://doi.org/10.2217/nnm-2022-0082

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Abstract

Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the protective efficacy of virus-like particles (VLPs) co-expressing the pre-fusogenic (PreF) and G protein with tandem repeats (Gt) antigens of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in mice. Materials & methods: VLP constructs expressing PreF, Gt or both were used to immunize mice, and the protective efficacies were evaluated using antibody responses, neutralizing antibody titers, T-cell responses, histopathological assessment and plaque assay. Results: PreF+Gt VLP immunization elicited strong RSV-specific antibody responses and pulmonary T-cell responses that contributed to lessening virus titer and inflammation. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that coexpressing PreF and Gt antigens elicits better protection than either one alone. This combinatorial approach could assist in future RSV vaccine development.

Keywords:

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Vol. 17, No. 17

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History

Received 28 March 2022

Accepted 17 August 2022

Published online 14 September 2022

Published in print July 2022

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Keywords

Author contributions

K Chu performed the majority of the experiments and wrote and revised the manuscript. S Lee constructed the VLPs and worked on experiments involving animals. M Kim and A Kim worked on animal experiments. E Moon provided resources for multiple experiments and revised the manuscript. F Quan supervised the overall experiment and revised the manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This research was funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) (2018R1A6A1A03025124) and the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (HV20C0085, HV20C0142). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

All experimental procedures involving animals were performed following the Kyung Hee University IACUC guidelines (permit ID: KHSASP-21-340). The authors state that they have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations.

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