Expression and Evaluation of a Novel PPRV Nanoparticle Antigen Based on Ferritin Self-Assembling Technology

Development of a blocking ELISA for evaluating neutralizing antibodies in human and canine serum based on rabies virus glycoprotein epitope I

Rabies virus (RABV) is extremely hazardous to both humans and animals, causing up to 100 % death. Accurate and easy-to-use serological evaluation of vaccine potency following immunization is crucial for rabies control. In this study, recombinant RABV glycoprotein (rG) was designed and produced in 293FT cells. Subsequently, a monoclonal antibody (S049), against the antigenic epitope I of RABV glycoprotein, was screened. Using the recombinant RABV glycoprotein and S049, a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA) was developed. The rG-encapsulated antigen was optimized to a concentration of 100 ng. Experimental conditions were refined, and the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated a maximal Youden index of 0.9978 for the canine serum detection, with a critical bELISA value of 23.21 %, specificity of 99.15 %, and sensitivity of 97.06 %. For human serum, the maximum Youden index was 0.9903, with a critical bELISA value of 30.60 %, specificity of 100 %, and sensitivity of 95.65 %. These findings indicate that the blocking ELISA exhibits comparable sensitivity and specificity to the fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test. In conclusion, the present study developed a robust blocking ELISA for post-immunization RABV detection, offering a promising tool for high-throughput sample assessment and surveillance of herd immunity, especially in resource-limited settings.

Self-Assembled Ferritin Nanoparticles for Delivery of Antigens and Development of Vaccines: From Structure and Property to Applications

Ferritin, an iron storage protein, is ubiquitously distributed across diverse life forms, fulfilling crucial roles encompassing iron retention, conversion, orchestration of cellular iron metabolism, and safeguarding cells against oxidative harm. Noteworthy attributes of ferritin include its innate amenability to facile modification, scalable mass production, as well as exceptional stability and safety. In addition, ferritin boasts unique physicochemical properties, including pH responsiveness, resilience to elevated temperatures, and resistance to a myriad of denaturing agents. Therefore, ferritin serves as the substrate for creating nanomaterials typified by uniform particle dimensions and exceptional biocompatibility. Comprising 24 subunits, each ferritin nanocage demonstrates self-assembly capabilities, culminating in the formation of nanostructures akin to intricate cages. Recent years have witnessed the ascendance of ferritin-based self-assembled nanoparticles, owing to their distinctive physicochemical traits, which confer substantial advantages and wide-ranging applications within the biomedical domain. Ferritin is highly appealing as a carrier for delivering drug molecules and antigen proteins due to its distinctive structural and biochemical properties. This review aims to highlight recent advances in the use of self-assembled ferritin as a novel carrier for antigen delivery and vaccine development, discussing the molecular mechanisms underlying its action, and presenting it as a promising and effective strategy for the future of vaccine development.

Development of a Ferritin Protein Nanoparticle Vaccine with PRRSV GP5 Protein

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) presents a significant threat to the global swine industry. The development of highly effective subunit nanovaccines is a promising strategy for preventing PRRSV variant infections. In this study, two different types of ferritin (Ft) nanovaccines targeting the major glycoprotein GP5, named GP5m-Ft and (Bp-IVp)3-Ft, were constructed and evaluated as vaccine candidates for PRRSV. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) demonstrated that both purified GP5m-Ft and (Bp-IVp)3-Ft proteins could self-assemble into nanospheres. A comparison of the immunogenicity of GP5m-Ft and (Bp-IVp)3-Ft with an inactivated PRRSV vaccine in BALB/c mice revealed that mice immunized with GP5m-Ft exhibited the highest ELISA antibody levels, neutralizing antibody titers, the lymphocyte proliferation index, and IFN-γ levels. Furthermore, vaccination with the GP5m-Ft nanoparticle effectively protected piglets against a highly pathogenic PRRSV challenge. These findings suggest that GP5m-Ft is a promising vaccine candidate for controlling PRRS.

Self-assembled ferritin-based nanoparticles elicit a robust broad-spectrum protective immune response against SARS-CoV-2 variants

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants has resulted in global economic losses and posed a threat to human health. The pandemic highlights the urgent need for an efficient, easily producible, and broad-spectrum vaccine. Here, we present a potentially universal strategy for the rapid and general design of vaccines, focusing on the design and testing of omicron BA.5 RBD-conjugated self-assembling ferritin nanoparticles (NPs). The covalent bonding of RBD-Fc to protein A-ferritin was easily accomplished through incubation, resulting in fully multivalent RBD-conjugated NPs that exhibited high structural uniformity, stability, and efficient assembly. The ferritin nanoparticle vaccine synergistically stimulated the innate immune response, Tfh-GCB-plasma cell-mediated activation of humoral immunity and IFN-γ-driven cellular immunity. This nanoparticle vaccine induced a high level of cross-neutralizing responses and protected golden hamsters challenged with multiple mutant strains from infection-induced clinical disease, providing a promising strategy for broad-spectrum vaccine development for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis. In conclusion, the nanoparticle conjugation platform holds promise for its potential universality and competitive immunization efficacy and is expected to facilitate the rapid manufacturing and broad application of next-generation vaccines.

A SARS-CoV-2 Nanobody Displayed on the Surface of Human Ferritin with High Neutralization Activity

Purpose

COVID-19 is rampant throughout the world, which has caused great damage to human lives and seriously hindered the development of the global economy. Aiming at the treatment of SARS-CoV-2, in this study, we proposed a novel fenobody strategy based on ferritin (Fe) self-assembly technology.

Methods

The neutralizing nanobody H11-D4 of SARS-CoV-2 fused to the C-terminus of end-modified human ferritin was expressed in E. coli and silkworm baculovirus expression systems. A large number of nanoparticles were successfully self-assembled in silkworms, while relatively few nanoparticles can be observed in the treated products from E. coli by electron microscopy. Subsequently, the fenobody's expression level and neutralizing activity were then evaluated.

Results

The results showed that the IC50 of H11-D4 and fenobody Fe-H11-D4 expressed in E. coli were 171.1 nmol L-1 and 20.87 nmol L-1, respectively. However, the IC50 of Fe-HD11-D4 expressed in silkworms was 1.46 nmol L-1 showing better neutralization activity.

Conclusion

Therefore, fenobodies can be well self-assembled in silkworm baculovirus expression system, and ferritin self-assembly technology can effectively improve nanobody neutralization activity.

Can the Revolution in mRNA-Based Vaccine Technologies Solve the Intractable Health Issues of Current Ruminant Production Systems?

To achieve the World Health Organization's global Sustainable Development Goals, increased production of high-quality protein for human consumption is required while minimizing, ideally reducing, environmental impacts. One way to achieve these goals is to address losses within current livestock production systems. Infectious diseases are key limiters of edible protein production, affecting both quantity and quality. In addition, some of these diseases are zoonotic threats and potential contributors to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Vaccination has proven to be highly successful in controlling and even eliminating several livestock diseases of economic importance. However, many livestock diseases, both existing and emerging, have proven to be recalcitrant targets for conventional vaccination technologies. The threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented global investment in vaccine technologies to accelerate the development of safe and efficacious vaccines. While several vaccination platforms emerged as front runners to meet this challenge, the clear winner is mRNA-based vaccination. The challenge now is for livestock industries and relevant stakeholders to harness these rapid advances in vaccination to address key diseases affecting livestock production. This review examines the key features of mRNA vaccines, as this technology has the potential to control infectious diseases of importance to livestock production that have proven otherwise difficult to control using conventional approaches. This review focuses on the challenging diseases of ruminants due to their importance in global protein production. Overall, the current literature suggests that, while mRNA vaccines have the potential to address challenges in veterinary medicine, further developments are likely to be required for this promise to be realized for ruminant and other livestock species.

Self-Assembled Nanoparticles with E Protein Domains I and II of Duck Tembusu Virus Can Induce a More Comprehensive Immune Response Against the Duck Tembusu Virus Challenge

Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) is a pathogenic flavivirus that causes a substantial drop in egg production and severe neurological disorders in domestic waterfowl. Self-assembled ferritin nanoparticles with E protein domains I and II (EDI-II) of DTMUV (EDI-II-RFNp) were prepared, and its morphology was observed. Two independent experiments were conducted. First, Cherry Valley ducks aged 14 days were vaccinated with EDI-II-RFNp, EDI-II, and phosphate buffered solution (PBS, pH 7.4), and special and virus neutralization (VN) antibodies, interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in serum, and lymphocyte proliferation were detected. Second, the vaccinated ducks with EDI-II-RFNp, EDI-II, and PBS were injected with virulent DTMUV, clinical signs at 7 days postinfection (dpi) were observed, and mRNA levels of DTMUV in the lungs, liver, and brain at 7 and 14 dpi were detected. The results showed near-spherical nanoparticles EDI-II-RFNp with a 16.46 ± 4.70 nm diameters. The levels of specific and VN antibodies, IL-4 and IFN-γ, and lymphocyte proliferation in the EDI-II-RFNp group were significantly higher than those in the EDI-II and PBS groups. In the DTMUV challenge test, clinical signs and mRNA levels in tissue were used to evaluate protection of EDI-II-RFNp. EDI-II-RFNp-vaccinated ducks showed milder clinical signs and lower levels of DTMUV RNA in the lungs, liver, and brain. These results indicate that EDI-II-RFNp effectively protects ducks against the DTMUV challenge and could be a vaccine candidate to provide an effective and safe method for preventing and controlling DTMUV infection.