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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
07:02
Quantifying Human Norovirus Virus-like Particles Binding to Commensal Bacteria Using Flow Cytometry
Published on: April 29, 2020
Genetic and antigenic diversity among noroviruses
Grant S Hansman1, Katsuro Natori1, Haruko Shirato-Horikoshi1
1Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-Murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan.
The Journal of General Virology
|March 11, 2006
Summary
Human norovirus (NoV) outbreaks are common. Analyzing virus-like particles (VLPs) revealed cross-reactivity between different NoV genotypes, aiding understanding of norovirus antigenic relationships.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Human norovirus (NoV) causes widespread gastroenteritis outbreaks globally.
- NoV strains are classified into genogroups GI and GII, with numerous genotypes within each.
- NoV cannot be cultured in cells, but recombinant virus-like particles (VLPs) can be produced.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antigenic relationships among different human norovirus strains.
- To identify cross-reactivity patterns between various norovirus genotypes using VLPs.
Main Methods:
- Production of 26 different human norovirus virus-like particles (VLPs) from capsid protein (VP1).
- Phylogenetic analysis to group NoV strains into GI and GII genotypes.
- Antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using polyclonal antisera against VLPs to assess cross-reactivity.
Main Results:
- Strong homologous reactivity was observed between antisera and their corresponding VLPs.
- Significant cross-reactivities were detected among different GI and GII genotypes.
- Specific antisera (e.g., GI/11, GII/1, GII/10, GII/12) showed broad reactivity across multiple genotypes.
- Conserved amino acid residues in VP1 shell and P1-1 domains were linked to broad cross-reactivity.
- Unusual cross-reactivities within GII/3 suggested influence from both conserved residues and VP1 secondary structures.
Conclusions:
- Antigenic relationships among human norovirus strains are more complex than previously understood.
- Conserved regions in the VP1 protein, including amino acid sequences and secondary structures, play a crucial role in determining norovirus antigenicity and cross-reactivity.
- These findings contribute to a better understanding of norovirus immunity and vaccine development.
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