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Scalable approach for coronavirus-like particles making based on the spike protein using Sf9 cells
Luis Giovani Oliveira Guardalini1, Thaissa Consoni Bernardino1, Felipe Moura Dias2
1Laboratório de Biotecnologia Viral, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, CEP 05503-900, São Paulo, Brazil.
Protein Expression and Purification
|July 5, 2025
Summary
This study shows that virus-like particles (VLPs) produced in insect cells are a robust platform for developing vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, enabling rapid responses to outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Virology
- Vaccine Development
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates rapid vaccine development.
- Virus-like particles (VLPs) are a safe and immunogenic vaccine platform.
- Baculovirus expression systems offer efficient VLP production in insect cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the coinfection of Sf9 insect cells with recombinant baculoviruses encoding SARS-CoV-2 proteins for VLP production.
- To analyze spike protein expression, VLP formation, and cellular metabolism in bioreactors.
- To assess the suitability of this platform for large-scale VLP production and its adaptability to emerging viral variants.
Main Methods:
- Coinfection of Sf9 cells with recombinant baculoviruses encoding SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins (spike, membrane, nucleocapsid, envelope).
- Cultivation in stirred tank bioreactors to optimize production conditions.
- Analysis of spike protein expression levels, VLP assembly, and cellular metabolic profiles.
Main Results:
- Optimized bioreactor conditions were identified for efficient VLP production.
- Successful expression of SARS-CoV-2 proteins and formation of VLPs were confirmed.
- The platform demonstrated robustness in handling conditions suitable for emerging viral variants.
Conclusions:
- The baculovirus-Sf9 cell system is a viable and scalable platform for producing SARS-CoV-2 VLPs.
- VLPs expressing spike protein can serve as a versatile immunogen for broad coronavirus vaccine development.
- This platform facilitates a rapid response to emerging viral threats with minimal modifications.
