Virus-like Particles Research Articles

Recent Advances in Gene Editing Cargo Delivery for Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells

As the cornerstone of human hematopoiesis, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) sustain immune homeostasis by continuously generating blood cellular components. Their proliferative capacity and multilineage differentiation potential make them prime targets for gene therapy. The clinical application of HSPC genome editing relies on two key advancements: the development of highly specific and biocompatible genome-editing reagents and the establishment of efficient delivery systems ensuring targeted cellular uptake. Recent innovations in gene editing tools and cargo delivery methods, such as RNA- and protein-based editors, have enabled novel therapeutic strategies for hematological disorders. Current gene delivery platforms for HSPCs include electroporation, synthetic nanoscale carriers (e.g., polymeric and lipid nanoparticles), and engineered viral vectors such as integration-defective lentiviral vectors (IDLVs), adeno-associated viral vectors (AADVs), virus-like particles, and adenovirus vectors (AdVs). While ex vivo gene therapy remain predominant, it requires complex and costly patient conditioning regimens. in vivo approaches, primarily utilizing AdVs and LNPs, offer an alternative but lack sufficient targeting precision and transfection efficiency. By critically analyzing these advancements, this review aims to identify pathways for optimizing genome editing in HSPCs and enhancing therapeutic precision in hematological disorder management.

In situ treatment with a TLR9 agonist virus-like particle to promote immune responses against oral epithelial dysplasia progression

Leukoplakia, a common type of oral dysplasia, is simply defined as a white patch in the mouth or other mucosal surface. Oral dysplasia is the most common premalignancy in the oral cavity and yet it is insufficiently researched and thus both diagnosing and treating oral dysplasia are still problematic issues. This study focuses on the immune signature of oral dysplasia and explores whether stimulating the immune system with an immune therapy, vidutolimod (± immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)), can prevent the progression of oral dysplasia or even cause regression. Vidutolimod, a virus-like particle encapsulating G10, is believed to activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) through the activation of the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). To investigate this, an established murine model for inducing oral cancer was used to study oral dysplasia development and response to in situ injection of vidutolimod at the premalignant phase. The effect of treatment was analyzed histologically and immunologically. ELISA revealed significantly elevated levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, and TNF-α in the sera of mice after 24 h of one treatment with vidutolimod + ICB as well as increased levels of proliferating T cells and pDCs in draining lymph nodes 72 h after the third and final treatment, thus indicating the immune-boosting effect of this therapy. Vidutolimod + ICB caused a significant decrease in Ki-67 expression by epithelial cells in the lesion area compared to untreated mice, implicating that this treatment regime may prevent lesion progression.

In vitro expression of the goose astrovirus Cap protein delivered with a duck enteritis virus vector

BackgroundGoose astrovirus (GAstV) is an emerging pathogen that is widely distributed throughout China and can cause visceral gout, resulting in serious economic losses for the goose industry. Open reading frame 2 (ORF2) of this virus encodes the precursor capsid protein, which is essential for the assembly and antigenicity of these virions. To construct a bi-valent vaccine for controlling GAstV and duck enteritis virus (DEV) infection, an infectious bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone of the DEV vaccine strain pDEV-EF1 was used to establish a recombinant DEV vector for GAstV ORF2 gene delivery.MethodsGAstV ORF2 expression frame was inserted into the US7 and US8 intergenic region of DEV genome by Red E/T two-step recombinant technology, then the recombinant virus rDEV-GAstV ORF2 was rescued by transfecting recombinant clone pDEV-GAstV ORF2 into chicken embryonic fibroblasts (CEFs). The expression of ORF2 in CEFs and formation of virus-like particles (VLPs) were analysed by Western blotting, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and immunogold electron microscopy (IEM), individually. And protein celluar localization was analysed by IFA.ResultsUsing this rDEV-GAstV ORF2 vector to infect CEFs was sufficient to elicit GAstV Cap protein expression, as confirmed by Western blotting and IFA. IEM also revealed the formation of VLPs within cells expressing this Cap protein.ConclusionsDEV is a good viral vector for GAstV ORF2 gene delivery and these results provide a basis for the development of a bivalent vaccine for controlling DEV and GAstV infections.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cell-targeted virus-like particles synergistically activate innate immune response for cancer immunotherapy.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cell-targeted virus-like particles synergistically activate innate immune response for cancer immunotherapy.

Engineering in vitro-assembled beak and feather disease virus-like particles loaded with biomolecules.

Engineering in vitro-assembled beak and feather disease virus-like particles loaded with biomolecules.

Expression, purification, and immunogenicity study of human papillomavirus type 52 virus-like particles produced in Hansenula polymorpha.

Expression, purification, and immunogenicity study of human papillomavirus type 52 virus-like particles produced in Hansenula polymorpha.

Critical parameters on Zika virus-like particles' generation.

Critical parameters on Zika virus-like particles' generation.

Two-dimensional size exclusion reversed-phase liquid chromatography for quantitative analysis of L1 proteins in complex vaccine matrices.

Two-dimensional size exclusion reversed-phase liquid chromatography for quantitative analysis of L1 proteins in complex vaccine matrices.

Cellulose test strips modified with virus-like particles: Advancing viral immunity screening technologies.

Cellulose test strips modified with virus-like particles: Advancing viral immunity screening technologies.

HPV vaccines - A game changer for preventing HPV-related cancers.

HPV vaccines - A game changer for preventing HPV-related cancers.

Evolution of enteric viruses in the progression of colorectal cancer via the adenoma-carcinoma sequence pathway.

Evolution of enteric viruses in the progression of colorectal cancer via the adenoma-carcinoma sequence pathway.

The second life for unused COVID-19 vaccines: Towards biosensing application.

The second life for unused COVID-19 vaccines: Towards biosensing application.

Chimeric virus-like particles of nodavirus displaying M2e of human and avian influenza A viruses as a potential dual-use vaccine: Inducing a broader immune response and protecting mice against viral infections.

Chimeric virus-like particles of nodavirus displaying M2e of human and avian influenza A viruses as a potential dual-use vaccine: Inducing a broader immune response and protecting mice against viral infections.

Development of a pod pepper vein yellows virus-based expression vector for the production of heterologous protein or virus like particles in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Development of a pod pepper vein yellows virus-based expression vector for the production of heterologous protein or virus like particles in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Evaluation of HPV-loaded PLGA microparticles as single-dose HPV vaccine: Insights for sustained-release vaccine development.

Evaluation of HPV-loaded PLGA microparticles as single-dose HPV vaccine: Insights for sustained-release vaccine development.

Development of a chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) for Quantitating L1 Protein in HPV Vaccines.

Development of a chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) for Quantitating L1 Protein in HPV Vaccines.

A strategy of enhancing the protective efficacy of seasonal influenza vaccines by providing additional immunity to neuraminidase and M2e.

A strategy of enhancing the protective efficacy of seasonal influenza vaccines by providing additional immunity to neuraminidase and M2e.

Inclusion of a retroviral protease enhances the immunogenicity of VLP-forming mRNA vaccines against HIV-1 or SARS-CoV-2 in mice.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) has emerged as a highly effective and versatile platform for vaccine delivery. We previously designed a virus-like particle (VLP)-forming env-gag mRNA vaccine against human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) that elicited envelope-specific neutralizing antibodies and protection from heterologous simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infection in rhesus macaques. Here, we introduce a key technological advance to this platform by inclusion of mRNA encoding a retroviral protease to process Gag and produce mature VLPs. Appropriately dosed and timed expression of the protease was achieved using a full-length gag-pol mRNA transcript. Addition of gag-pol mRNA to an HIV-1 env-gag mRNA vaccine resulted in enhanced titers of envelope trimer-binding and neutralizing antibodies in a mouse model. Analogous results were obtained with a hybrid Gag-based, VLP-forming severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccine expressing an engineered spike protein. Thus, inclusion of a retroviral protease can increase the immunogenicity of Gag-based, VLP-forming mRNA vaccines against human pathogens.

How cells wrap around coronavirus-like particles using extracellular filamentous protein structures

Nanoparticles, such as viruses, can enter cells via endocytosis, a process by which the cell membrane wraps around them. The role of nanoparticle size and shape on endocytosis has been well studied, but the biophysical details of how extracellular proteins on the cell membrane surface mediate uptake are less clear. Motivated by recent discoveries regarding extracellular vimentin in viral and bacterial uptake and the structure of coronaviruses, we construct a computational model with a cell-like and virus-like construct containing filamentous protein structures protruding from their surfaces. We study the impact of these additional degrees of freedom on viral wrapping. The cell surface is modeled as a deformable sheet with bending rigidity, and extracellular vimentin as semiflexible polymers, or extracellular components (ECC), placed randomly on the sheet. The virus is modeled as a deformable shell that also has explicit, freely rotating spike filaments on its surface. Our results indicate that cells with optimally populated filaments are more susceptible to infection as they take up the virus more quickly and utilize a relatively smaller area of the cell surface. At optimal ECC density, the cell surface forms a fold around the virus, which is faster and more efficient at wrapping than localized crumples. Additionally, cell surface bending rigidity aids in the generation of folds by increasing force transmission across the surface. Changing other mechanical parameters, such as the stretching stiffness of filamentous ECC or virus spikes, can result in localized crumple formation on the cell surface. We conclude with the implications of our study on the evolutionary pressures of virus-like particles, with a particular focus on the cellular microenvironment. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Dengue Vaccine Development and Deployment into Routine Immunization

Dengue has emerged as a significant global health threat. Despite decades of research, only two dengue vaccines—CYD-TDV (Dengvaxia) and TAK-003 (Qdenga)—have been licensed to date, with limited implementation. This paper explores and outlines strategies for integrating dengue vaccines into routine immunization programs, particularly in high-burden regions. TAK-003, a tetravalent live-attenuated vaccine, has demonstrated 61% efficacy against virologically confirmed dengue and 84% efficacy against hospitalizations in endemic settings. However, concerns remain about vaccine-enhanced disease, particularly among seronegative individuals exposed to DENV3 and DENV4. WHO recommends targeted introduction in high-transmission settings without pre-vaccination screening, while ongoing post-introduction studies will further clarify long-term safety and efficacy. Effective vaccine rollout requires a multi-pronged approach, including school-based immunization, integration with adolescent health services, and strong community engagement. Decision-making for vaccine introduction should be guided by National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs), local epidemiological data, and cost-effectiveness assessments. While future vaccines, including mRNA and virus-like particle candidates, are under development, optimizing the use of currently available vaccines is crucial to reducing dengue’s public health impact. Given the continued rise in cases, immediate action—combining vaccination with vector control—is essential to prevent further morbidity and mortality.