Virus-like particles (VLPs) are self-assembling complexes of viral proteins, 20-800 nm in size. VLPs mimic the genetic material of native viruses and are therefore non-infectious and safe. VLP is an ideal carrier for antigen transmission, as it mimics the native virus, and therefore can be readily identified by the host immune system.
RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) is a VLP vector vaccine approved for the treatment of preerythrocytic malaria. Mosquirix comprises a component of the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) protein that is a major fragment of the P. falciparum coat protein and fused to a VLP carrier (HBsAg VLP, Hepatitis B surface antigen).
In addition to HBsAg VLP, other virus/phage-derived VLPs are currently being investigated, including human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 VLP, Hepatitis E virus (HEV) ORF2 VLP, Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) Pr55(Gag) VLP, cucumber-mosaic virus (CuMV) VLP, bacteriophage Qβ-based VLP, bacteriophage AP205-VLP, etc.
Natural VLP Backbone
VLP-based vaccines are being developed as classical vaccines against infection desease, as well as therapeutic vaccines against cancer, inflammation, allergy, neurodegenerative diseases, hypertension, and etc. Examples of commonly used VLPs in vaccine development are listed:
VLP Backbone
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VLP Composition
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Derivation
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HBV-VLP
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HBsAg, HBcAg or S1, S2 antigen
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Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
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HPV-VLP
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HPV capsid L1 antigen, or HPV capsid L1/L2 protein
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Human papillomavirus (HPV)
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HEV-VLP
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HEV ORF2
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Hepatitis E Virus (HEV)
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Qβ-VLP
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Qβ coat protein
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Bacteriophage Qβ
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AP205-VLP
|
AP205 coat protein
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Bacteriophage AP205
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MS2-VLP
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MS2 coat protein
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Bacteriophage MS2
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PP7-VLP
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PP7 coat protein
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Bacteriophage PP7
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CuMV-VLP
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CuMV capsid protein
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Cucumber-mosaic virus-like particles (CuMV)
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CCMV-VLP
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CCMV capsid protein
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Cowpea chlorotic mosaic virus (CCMV)
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RHDS-VLP
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RHDS capsid protein VP1/VP60
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Rabbit hemorrhag ic disease virus (RHDS)
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CPV-VLP
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CPV capsid protein VP2
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Canine parvovirus (CPV)
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