Norovirus P particle and its application

Abstract

The challenges posed by norovirus infections to global health are increasing accompanied by the rapid rate of the genetic and antigenic evolution of circulating noroviruses. Due to lack of in vitro culture cells and small animal models, norovirus vaccine cannot be prepared by using traditional techniques. With the in-depth understanding and study of norovirus, the subunit vaccines against norovirus infection based on P particles have been developed and presented the characteristics of easily expressed, low cost, high immunogenicity, stable structure and so on. In addition, norovirus P particle has been used as a subviral nanoparticle for vaccine development against other viruses and for antibody production against chronic disease (Alzheimer′s disease), which benefits from the accommodation of foreign antigens in the three loops of P particle. In this review, we describe the progresses in the field of P particle related vaccines for providing suggestions about the research and development of multivalent vaccines in China. Key words: Norovirus; P particle; Virus-like particle; Vaccine