Enhanced protective immune response of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine through DNA-loaded virus-like particles

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is the etiological agent of a highly contagious disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals. Virus-like particles (VLPs) can induce a robust immune response and deliver DNA and small molecules. In this study, a VLP-harboring pcDNA3.1/P12A3C plasmid was generated, and the protective immune response was characterized. Guinea pigs were injected with VLPs, naked DNA vaccine, DNA-loaded VLPs, or phosphate-buffered saline twice subcutaneously at four-week intervals. Results demonstrated that the VLPs protected the naked DNA from DNase degeneration and delivered the DNA into the cells in vitro. The DNA-loaded VLPs and the VLPs alone induced a similar level of specific antibodies (P > 0.05) except at 49 dpv (P < 0.05). The difference in interferon-γ was consistent with that in specific antibodies. The levels of neutralizing antibodies induced by the DNA-loaded VLPs were significantly higher than those of other samples (P < 0.01). Similarly, the lymphocyte proliferation by using DNA-loaded VLPs was significantly higher than those using other formulas after booster immunization. Vaccination with DNA-loaded VLPs provided higher protection (100%) against viral challenge compared with vaccination with VLPs (75%) and DNA vaccine (25%). This study suggested that VLPs can be used as a delivery carrier for DNA vaccine. In turn, the DNA vaccine can enhance the immune response and prolong the serological duration of the VLP vaccine. This phenomenon contributes in providing complete protection against the FMDV challenge in guinea pigs and can be valuable in exploring novel nonreplicating vaccines and controlling FMD in endemic countries worldwide.