Self-Assembling Nanovaccine Enhances Protective Efficacy Against CSFV in Pigs

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Immunology
• Nanotechnology in Vaccines
• Virology

Background:

• Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) poses a significant threat to the swine industry.
• Current attenuated vaccines for CSFV cannot differentiate between infected and vaccinated animals, impeding eradication efforts.
• Nanoparticle (NP)-based vaccines offer a potential solution due to their size and antigen structure resemblance to natural viruses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel nanovaccine strategy displaying the CSFV E2 glycoprotein on self-assembling nanoparticles.
• To evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of this CSFV nanovaccine in pigs.

Main Methods:

• Genetically engineered self-assembling nanoparticles (SP-E2-mi3) displaying the CSFV E2 glycoprotein were created.
• Nanoparticle formation, stability, and antigen presentation were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS).
• Immunogenicity was assessed by measuring antigen uptake, cytokine production in antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and humoral and cellular immune responses in pigs.

Main Results:

• SP-E2-mi3 self-assembled into uniform, stable nanoparticles.
• NP-based immunization enhanced APC function and cytokine production.
• Pigs immunized with SP-E2-mi3 NPs showed significantly elevated CSFV-specific IFN-γ cellular immunity and neutralizing antibodies compared to monomeric E2.
• A single dose of 10 μg SP-E2-mi3 NPs provided substantial clinical protection against a lethal CSFV challenge.

Conclusions:

• The developed nanoparticle-based vaccine technology effectively displays the CSFV E2 glycoprotein.
• This nanovaccine strategy enhances both humoral and cellular immunity, offering improved protection against CSFV.
• The findings support the potential of this NP-based technology for developing potent subunit vaccines and advancing nanovaccine development for CSFV.