ABSTRACT
Virus-like particles ( VLPs ) are particles formed by one or several structural proteins from viruses with similar outside structure and antigenicity of the native viruses containing no virus genome.VLPs antigen can be produced in yeasts, mammalian cells, plant cells, insect cells and bacteria.VLPs vaccine can induce immune response effectively.Other adjuvant or polypeptide can be integrated into VLPs to construct chimeric vaccines.This review focuses on research progress of virus-like particles and its application in the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
ABSTRACT
Virus-like particles (VLPs) structurally mimic the authentic virus whereas contain no viral genome. VLPs technique plays an important role in basic research such as virus assembly and virus morphology diversity. With special immunology properties, VLPs vaccine can induce immune response effectively. VLPs can act as adjuvant by regulating dendritic cells. Other adjuvant or polypeptide can be integrated into VLPs to construct chimeric vaccines. With the capability of packaging nucleic acid or other small molecules, VLPs can be used for vehicles to deliver these substances under suitable conditions. VLPs can substitute natural virus in immunology assay.