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Updated: May 28, 2026
Detection of Neutralization-sensitive Epitopes in Antigens Displayed on Virus-Like Particle (VLP)-Based Vaccines Using a Capture Assay
Published on: February 10, 2022
Development of an alternative neutralization assay using Akabane virus-based transcription and replication-competent
Yuto Suda1, Katsunori Murota2, Tatsunori Masatani3
1Kagoshima Research Station, National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH), National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Kagoshima, Japan; Division of Infectious Animal Disease Research, NIAH, NARO, Ibaraki, Japan.
A new method using virus-like particles (VLPs) can detect neutralizing antibodies against Akabane virus and other orthobunyaviruses. This diagnostic tool overcomes limitations of traditional virus isolation methods for animal health.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Animal Health
Background:
- Akabane virus (AKAV) and related orthobunyaviruses cause congenital abnormalities in livestock.
- Emerging orthobunyaviruses threaten animal health and the global livestock industry.
- Conventional neutralization assays are reliable but require difficult virus isolation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an alternative neutralization assay for orthobunyaviruses.
- To utilize transcription and replication-competent virus-like particles (trVLPs) for diagnostics.
- To overcome limitations of current diagnostic methods for AKAV and related viruses.
Main Methods:
- Generated AKAV-based trVLPs displaying AKAV and Shamonda virus glycoproteins.
- Performed a neutralization assay using these trVLPs.
- Compared trVLP-based assay results with conventional methods.
Main Results:
- trVLPs successfully detected neutralizing antibodies against orthobunyaviruses.
- The trVLP-based assay performed similarly to conventional neutralization assays.
- This method provides a viable alternative when virus isolation is challenging.
Conclusions:
- Virus-like particles offer a powerful alternative for detecting neutralizing antibodies against orthobunyaviruses.
- This approach enhances diagnostic capabilities for animal diseases caused by these viruses.
- The developed assay addresses critical limitations in current orthobunyavirus diagnostics for livestock protection.
