Development of immunogenic chimeric virus-like particles based on bovine papillomavirus type 6

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are considered useful tools for vaccine development because they induce an immune response and are safe. In addition, VLPs may be useful as a platform for the presentation of foreign antigens to elicit immune responses. In this study, we aimed to produce a chimeric VLP composed of L1 protein of bovine papillomavirus type 6 (BPV6-L1) that can display an entire foreign protein on its surface. Based on prediction of the conformational structure of VLP of BPV6-L1 (BPV6-VLP), candidate insertion sites for the foreign protein into BPV6-VLP were identified. Fusion proteins of BPV6-L1 and EGFP as a model foreign protein were constructed and produced. Only the fusion protein in which EGFP was inserted between amino acids 136 and 137 of BPV6-L1 self-assembled into VLPs and did not exhibit hindrance of the conformation of EGFP. Chimeric BPV6-VLP-immunized mice produced specific IgG against both BPV6 and EGFP. This is the first demonstration of the production of an immunogenic, bivalent, chimeric BPV6-VLP incorporating an entire protein for stable surface display. Thus, immunogenic chimeric BPV6-VLP may constitute a promising vaccine platform.