J Vet Sci.  2023 Jan;24(1):e15. 10.4142/jvs.22227.

Expression of FMD virus-like particles in yeast Hansenula polymorpha and immunogenicity of combine with CpG and aluminum adjuvant

• Zhang J
• Ge J
• Li J
• Li J
• Zhang Y
• Shi Y
• Sun J
• Wang Q
• Zhang X
• Zhao X

• KMID: 2539432
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.22227

Abstract

Background
Inactivated vaccines are limited in preventing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) due to safety problems. Recombinant virus-like particles (VLPs) are an excellent candidate for a novel vaccine for preventing FMD, given that VLPs have similar immunogenicity as natural viruses and are replication- and infection-incompetent.
Objectives
The 3C protease and P1 polyprotein of type O FMD virus (FDMV) was expressed in yeast Hansenula polymorpha to generate self-resembling VLPs, and the potential of recombinant VLPs as an FMD vaccine was evaluated.
Methods
BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant purified VLPs using CpG oligodeoxynucleotide and aluminum hydroxide gel as an adjuvant. Cytokines and lymphocytes from serum and spleen were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, enzyme-linked immunospot assay, and flow cytometry.
Results
The VLPs of FMD were purified successfully from yeast protein with a diameter of approximately 25 nm. The immunization of mice showed that animals produced high levels of FMDV antibodies and a higher level of antibodies for a longer time. In addition, higher levels of interferon-γ and CD4 + T cells were observed in mice immunized with VLPs.
Conclusions
The expression of VLPs of FMD in H. polymorpha provides a novel strategy for the generation of the FMDV vaccine.

Keyword

Yeast Hansenula polymorpha; food-and-mouth disease; virus-like particles; immunogenicity