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Published on: July 17, 2021
Immunogenicity Analysis of PCV3 Capsid Highly Expressed Using Baculovirus
Baoge Zhang1, Lumen Chao1, Yuchen Cai1
1Key Laboratory of Bacteriology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 12, 2026
Summary
Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) capsid protein (Cap) successfully assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs). These PCV3 Cap VLPs induced robust immune responses in mice and showed protective potential in pigs, supporting subunit vaccine development.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Immunology
- Vaccine Development
Background:
- Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) is an emerging swine pathogen.
- The PCV3 capsid protein (Cap) is crucial for immunological studies and vaccine design.
- Developing effective PCV3 vaccines is essential for swine health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize the expression of PCV3 Cap protein using baculovirus expression systems.
- To characterize the assembled PCV3 Cap virus-like particles (VLPs).
- To evaluate the immunogenicity and protective potential of PCV3 Cap VLPs in preclinical models.
Main Methods:
- Construction and optimization of baculovirus transfer plasmids for PCV3 Cap expression.
- Confirmation of Cap expression via Western blot, IPMA, and IFA.
- Purification of PCV3 Cap VLPs using ultracentrifugation and chromatography.
- Immunization of mice with VLPs and assessment of humoral and cellular immune responses.
- Evaluation of VLP efficacy in a pig challenge model.
Main Results:
- The pOET1.1-based baculovirus transfer plasmid yielded the highest Cap expression.
- Optimized baculovirus amplification and Cap production conditions were established.
- Purified PCV3 Cap VLPs were characterized as spherical particles (17-20 nm).
- VLP immunization in mice induced significant antigen-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and upregulated cytokine mRNA (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10).
- Pig challenge data indicated protective potential of PCV3 Cap VLPs.
Conclusions:
- PCV3 Cap protein can self-assemble into immunogenic VLPs.
- PCV3 Cap VLPs effectively induce humoral and cellular immunity.
- These findings provide a strong foundation for developing a PCV3 subunit vaccine.
