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Research Article

Nanoparticle vaccine based on the envelope protein domain III of Japanese encephalitis virus elicits robust protective immune responses in mice

    Manman Yao

    State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    Laboratory of Animal Virology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    ,
    Xujiao Ren

    State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    Laboratory of Animal Virology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    ,
    Mengge Yin

    State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    Laboratory of Animal Virology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    ,
    Huanchun Chen

    State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    Laboratory of Animal Virology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    Key Laboratory of Prevention & Control for African Swine Fever & Other Major Pig Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    ,
    Xiangmin Li

    **Author for correspondence: Tel.: +86 27 8728 2608;

    E-mail Address: lixiangmin@mail.hzau.edu.cn

    State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    Laboratory of Animal Virology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    Key Laboratory of Prevention & Control for African Swine Fever & Other Major Pig Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    &
    Ping Qian

    *Author for correspondence:

    E-mail Address: qianp@mail.hzau.edu.cn

    State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    Laboratory of Animal Virology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    Key Laboratory of Prevention & Control for African Swine Fever & Other Major Pig Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.2217/nnm-2022-0298

    Aim: To develop a vaccine candidate for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), for which an effective and safe vaccine is urgently needed. Materials & methods: A vaccine candidate based on domain III of the JEV envelope protein and lumazine synthase (EDIII–LS) was prepared by coupling multivalent ED III to a self-assembling nanoparticle of LS through genetic fusion and self-assembly. Results: High enrichment of ED III was achieved based on the self-assembly of an EDIII–LS polymer. EDIII–LS strongly promoted dendritic cells’ internalization and presentation compared with ED III monomer. The cellular and humoral immune responses provoked by EDIII–LS were remarkably higher than those caused by ED III in mice, and conferred complete protection against JEV challenge. Conclusion: The study of ED III-based nanoparticles suggests an effective approach against JEV.

    Graphical abstract

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest

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