Residual baculovirus in insect cell-derived influenza virus-like particle preparations enhances immunogenicity.

ABSTRACT: Influenza virus-like particles are currently evaluated in clinical trials as vaccine candidates for influenza viruses. Most commonly they are produced in baculovirus- or mammalian- expression systems. Here we used different vaccination schemes in order to systematically compare virus-like particle preparations generated in the two systems. Our work shows significant differences in immunogenicity between the two, and indicates superior and broader immune responses induced by the baculovirus-derived constructs. We demonstrate that these differences critically influence protection and survival in a mouse model of influenza virus infection. Finally, we show that the enhanced immunogenicity of the baculovirus-derived virus-like particles is caused by contamination with residual baculovirus whic

SUBMITTER: Margine I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3517492 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature