Hepatitis C virus-like particles synthesized in insect cells as a potential vaccine candidate

• Published in: Gastroenterology (New York, N.Y. 1943) Vol. 117; no. 6; p. 1397
• Main Authors: Baumert, T F, Vergalla, J, Satoi, J, Thomson, M, Lechmann, M, Herion, D, Greenberg, H B, Ito, S, Liang, T J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.12.1999
• Subjects: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Glycosylation; Hepacivirus - genetics; Hepacivirus - immunology; Hepacivirus - metabolism; Insecta; Vaccines, Synthetic - genetics; Viral Envelope Proteins - analysis; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines - genetics; Viral Structural Proteins - analysis; Virus Replication
• ISSN: 0016-5085
• DOI: 10.1016/S0016-5085(99)70290-8

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. 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. 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. 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.