Virus like particles (VLPs) consist of proteins that form a virus' outer shell and the surface proteins, without the RNA required for replication. In some cases these proteins are embedded within a lipid bilayer. These particles resemble the virus from which they were derived but lack viral nucleic acid, meaning that they are not infectious. VLPs used as vaccines are often very effective at eliciting both T cell and B cell immune responses. The human papillomavirus and Hepatitis B vaccines are the first virus-like particle based vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Many fungi contain mycoviruses that can not be classified as true viruses as they lack the ability to be transmitted in cell free preparations. This essentially means they are non-infectious. However, they are normally associated with a genome often consisting of double stranded RNA. In these instances they too are referred to as virus like particles. They are very important in phytopathology, as they have been shown to cause hypovirulence in some species of phytopathogenic fungi.
Flu vaccines
New research suggests that VLP vaccines could provide stronger and longer-lasting protection against flu viruses than conventional vaccines.[1] Production may begin as soon as the genetic sequence of the virus is published online, without an actual sample of the agent, and it may take as little as 12 weeks, compared to 9 months for traditional vaccines.[1] The VLP may be grown in either plants or insect cells.[2] As it contains no genetic material, some ingredients of traditional vaccines such as formalin and detergent treatments, are not needed.[2]
In early clinical trials, VLP vaccines appeared to provide complete protection against both the H5N1 avian influenza virus and the 1918 Spanish influenza virus.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "New Vaccine Strategy Might Offer Protection Against Pandemic Influenza Strains". American Society for Microbiology. 2009-05-18. http://gm.asm.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=217&Itemid=1. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
- ^ a b Dobbs, David (October 22, 2009). "Delivering a Virus Imposter Quicker". Technology Review. http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/23782/. Retrieved 2009-10-24.
"Ebola Virus-like Particles Prevent Lethal Ebola Virus Infection". United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases. 2003-12-09. http://www.usamriid.army.mil/press%20releases/bavari_VLP_press_release.pdf.
- Kelly L. Warfield, Catharine M. Bosio, et al. (2003-12-12). Ebola virus-like particles protect from lethal Ebola virus infection. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/100/26/15889.
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