Rabies virus-like particles expressed in HEK293 cells

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Vaccinology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Rabies is a fatal viral disease with nearly 100% mortality, necessitating improved vaccines, especially for developing countries.
• Virus-like particles (VLPs) offer a safe and highly immunogenic platform for vaccine development.
• Rabies virus glycoprotein is crucial for inducing protective immunity and neutralizing antibodies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a recombinant cell line for producing rabies virus-like particles (RV-VLPs) that express the rabies virus glycoprotein.
• To characterize the produced RV-VLPs and evaluate their immunogenicity in a preclinical model.

Main Methods:

• Lentivirus-based transduction of HEK293 cells to create a stable cell line for RV-VLP production.
• Analysis of protein expression using flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, Western blot, and ELISA.
• Purification and characterization of RV-VLPs, followed by immunization studies in mice with adjuvant formulation.

Main Results:

• Successful development of a stable HEK293 cell line producing RV-VLPs expressing rabies virus glycoprotein.
• Characterization of purified RV-VLPs regarding size and morphology.
• Demonstrated induction of a specific antibody response in mice immunized with RV-VLPs, indicating immunogenicity.

Conclusions:

• The developed RV-VLPs are a promising candidate for a new rabies vaccine.
• This approach offers a potentially cost-effective and highly immunogenic strategy for rabies prevention.
• Further studies are warranted to advance RV-VLPs towards clinical application.