Adjuvant formulations for virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccines

• Published in: Clinical immunology (Orlando, Fla.) Vol. 183; pp. 99 - 108
• Main Authors: Cimica, Velasco, Galarza, Jose M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.10.2017
• Subjects: Adjuvants, Immunologic - therapeutic use; Bacterial Toxins - immunology; Bacterial Toxins - therapeutic use; Cytokines - immunology; Cytokines - therapeutic use; Drug Compounding; Drug Discovery; Humans; Immunogenicity, Vaccine - immunology; Liposomes - immunology; Liposomes - therapeutic use; Polymers - therapeutic use; Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle - immunology; Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 1521-6616; 1521-7035; 1521-7035
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2017.08.004

The development of virus-like particle (VLP) technology has had an enormous impact on modern vaccinology. In order to optimize the efficacy and safety of VLP-based vaccines, adjuvants are included in most vaccine formulations. To date, most licensed VLP-based vaccines utilize the classic aluminum adjuvant compositions. Certain challenging pathogens and weak immune responder subjects may require further optimization of the adjuvant formulation to maximize the magnitude and duration of the protective immunity. Indeed, novel classes of adjuvants such as liposomes, agonists of pathogen recognition receptors, polymeric particles, emulsions, cytokines and bacterial toxins, can be used to further improve the immunostimulatory activity of a VLP-based vaccine. This review describes the current advances in adjuvant technology for VLP-based vaccines directed at viral diseases, and discusses the basic principles for designing adjuvant formulations for enhancing the vaccine immunogenicity. The roles of adjuvants in VLP-based vaccines. VLPs can be produced from various cellular systems using recombinant DNA technology. Adjuvants play multiple roles in enhancing the efficacy and safety of VLP-based vaccines. [Display omitted] •Virus-like particle (VLP) technology has significantly contributed to modern vaccinology.•Adjuvant formulation is fundamental for VLP-based vaccines efficacy and safety.•Novel classes of adjuvants have been developed for enhancing vaccine immunity.•We discuss progress in adjuvant development and formulation for VLP-based vaccines.•Advances in these fields should bring forward more effective and safer vaccines.