Production of Recombinant Viral Antigens Using the Baculovirus-Insect Cell Expression System.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Vaccinology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Insect cell expression systems offer advantages over bacterial systems for producing viral antigens due to their ability to perform post-translational modifications (PTMs).
• PTMs like glycosylation and phosphorylation are critical for preserving the native functionality of viral antigens, essential for vaccine efficacy.
• While insect cells have limitations in mimicking highly complex glycosylation patterns, advancements in engineering strategies are addressing these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe methods for producing viral subunit antigens using insect cell expression systems.
• To demonstrate the production of the SARS-CoV-2 spike ectodomain antigen for human vaccine development.
• To showcase the production of a virus-like particle (VLP) from porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2d) capsid protein for animal vaccine development.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two distinct insect cell lines, SF9 and Hi5, for antigen production.
• Employed insect cell expression for the SARS-CoV-2 spike ectodomain subunit antigen.
• Applied insect cell expression for the production of PCV2d VLP antigen.

Main Results:

• Successfully produced the SARS-CoV-2 spike ectodomain antigen in insect cells.
• Generated PCV2d virus-like particles (VLPs) in insect cells.
• Demonstrated the flexibility and broad applicability of insect cell expression for diverse vaccine antigens.

Conclusions:

• Insect cell expression is a versatile and effective platform for producing viral antigens for both human and animal vaccines.
• The described methodologies highlight the suitability of insect cells for generating complex vaccine components like spike proteins and VLPs.
• Insect cell technology offers a viable, cost-efficient, and timely approach for commercial vaccine development.