We wish to acknowledge the prior members of the Ross lab who have helped optimize the protocol for maximal efficiency and yields.

1. Mammalian Expression System for Generation of Influenza H3N2 VLP
<ol>
	<li>Subclone viral structural glycoproteins hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Gag p55 into eukaryotic expression vectors, such as previously described pTR600.7</li>
	<li>Amplify DNA in chemically competent Escherichia coli (e.g., DH5&#945;) and isolate transfection-grade plasmid using a plasmid purification kit as per manufacturer&#39;s instructions. Amount of DNA is dependent on yi...

<ol>
	<li>Zeltins, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Construction+and+characterization+of+virus-like+particles:+a+review.">Construction and characterization of virus-like particles: a review.</a> Mol Biotechnol. 53, 92-107 (2013).</li><li>Jain, N. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Formulation+and+stabilization+of+recombinant+protein+based+virus-like+particle+vaccines.">Formulation and stabilization of recombinant protein based virus-like particle vaccines.</a> Adv Drug Deliv Rev. , (2014).</li><li>Mair, C. M., Ludwig, K., Herrmann, A., Sieben, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Receptor+binding+and+pH+stability+-+how+influenza+A+virus+hemagglutinin+affects+host-specific+virus+infection.">Receptor binding and pH stability - how influenza A virus hemagglutinin affects host-specific virus infection.</a> Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1838, 1153-1168 (2014).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Engerix-B+package+insert.">Engerix-B package insert.</a> GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC. , (2013).</li><li>Giles, B. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+computationally+optimized+hemagglutinin+virus-like+particle+vaccine+elicits+broadly+reactive+antibodies+that+protect+nonhuman+primates+from+H5N1+infection.">A computationally optimized hemagglutinin virus-like particle vaccine elicits broadly reactive antibodies that protect nonhuman primates from H5N1 infection.</a> J Infect Dis. 205, 1562-1570 (2012).</li><li>Giles, B. M., Ross, T. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+computationally+optimized+broadly+reactive+antigen+(COBRA)+based+H5N1+VLP+vaccine+elicits+broadly+reactive+antibodies+in+mice+and+ferrets.">A computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) based H5N1 VLP vaccine elicits broadly reactive antibodies in mice and ferrets.</a> Vaccine. 29, 3043-3054 (2011).</li><li>Green, T. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=C3d+enhancement+of+neutralizing+antibodies+to+measles+hemagglutinin.">C3d enhancement of neutralizing antibodies to measles hemagglutinin.</a> Vaccine. 20, 242-248 (2001).</li><li>Bright, R. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cross-Clade+Protective+Immune+Responses+to+Influenza+Viruses+with+H5N1+HA+and+NA+Elicited+by+an+Influenza+Virus-Like+Particle.">Cross-Clade Protective Immune Responses to Influenza Viruses with H5N1 HA and NA Elicited by an Influenza Virus-Like Particle.</a> PLoS ONE. 3, e1501 (2008).</li><li>Yondola, M. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Budding+Capability+of+the+Influenza+Virus+Neuraminidase+Can+Be+Modulated+by+Tetherin.">Budding Capability of the Influenza Virus Neuraminidase Can Be Modulated by Tetherin.</a> J Virol. 85, 2480-2491 (2011).</li><li>Schneider-Ohrum, K., Ross, T. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Virus-like+particles+for+antigen+delivery+at+mucosal+surfaces.">Virus-like particles for antigen delivery at mucosal surfaces.</a> Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 354, 53-73 (2012).</li><li>Murawski, M. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Newcastle+disease+virus-like+particles+containing+respiratory+syncytial+virus+G+protein+induced+protection+in+BALB/c+mice,+with+no+evidence+of+immunopathology.">Newcastle disease virus-like particles containing respiratory syncytial virus G protein induced protection in BALB/c mice, with no evidence of immunopathology.</a> J Virol. 84, 1110-1123 (2010).</li><li>Quan, F. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Viruslike+particle+vaccine+induces+protection+against+respiratory+syncytial+virus+infection+in+mice.">Viruslike particle vaccine induces protection against respiratory syncytial virus infection in mice.</a> J Infect Dis. 204, 987-995 (2011).</li><li>Ross, T. M., Tang, X., Lu, H. R., Olagnier, D., Kirchenbaum, G. A., Evans, J. 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K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Protective+efficacy+of+crude+virus-like+particle+vaccine+against+HPAI+H5N1+in+chickens+and+its+application+on+DIVA+strategy.">Protective efficacy of crude virus-like particle vaccine against HPAI H5N1 in chickens and its application on DIVA strategy.</a> Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 7, 340-348 (2013).</li><li>Gangadharan, D., Smith, J., Weyant, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biosafety+Recommendations+for+Work+with+Influenza+Viruses+Containing+a+Hemagglutinin+from+the+A/goose/Guangdong/1/96+Lineage.+MMWR.+Recommendations+and+reports+:+Morbidity+and+mortality+weekly+report.">Biosafety Recommendations for Work with Influenza Viruses Containing a Hemagglutinin from the A/goose/Guangdong/1/96 Lineage. MMWR. Recommendations and reports : Morbidity and mortality weekly report.</a> Recommendations and reports / Centers for Disease Control. 62, 1-7 (2013).</li></ol>

Authors have nothing to disclose.

We have used the techniques described above to successfully express and purify SVPs and VLPs composed of multiple structural proteins for various pathogens. In general, we use mammalian expression systems to generate our VLPs. However, in our hands, mammalian-cell derived CHIK VLP yields were low. CHIK VLP yield was more robust when using A recombinant baculovirus-insect cell system. In general, baculovirus-insect cell systems yield higher amounts of recombinant proteins, which may result from the higher cell densities t...

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are an approved technology for human vaccination. In fact, some of the more contemporarily licensed vaccines, including the human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis&#160;&#914; (Hep&#914;) vaccines employ this approach. VLPs are formed from structural proteins capable of self-assembly. The assembled particles mimic viral morphologies, but cannot infect or replicate because they lack viral genomes. VLPs can be expressed and purified from a number of prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. A review of the literature revealed that different expression systems are employed at the following rates: bacteria - 28%, yeast - 20%, plant - 9%, insect - 28%, and mammalian - 15%1. Of note, HPV vaccines based on L1 capsid protein are produced in yeast (Gardasil) or in an insect cell system (Cervarix)2. Hep&#914; vaccines, Recombivax and Engerix-&#914;, are also produced in yeast, and are composed of Hep&#914; surface antigen3,4.
We use mammalian and insect cell expression systems to produce VLPs requiring co-expression of multiple structural proteins for assembly. Our work focuses on designing, producing, and purifying VLP-based vaccines against human pathogens: influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), dengue virus (DENV), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Our methods are flexible enough to allow for co-expression of the multiple structural proteins from multiple expression plasmids, or a single expression plasmid (Figure 1). Previously, we produced and purified H5N1 VLPs assembled from the co-expression of plasmids encoding influenza hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), and matrix (M1) in human embryonic kidney 293T cells5,6. The genes were codon-optimized for expression in mammalian cells and cloned into pTR600, a eukaryotic expression vector containing the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter plus intron A for initiating transcription of eukaryotic inserts and the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation signal for termination of transcription7. A similar approach using the three-plasmid co-expression of HA, NA (Figure 1A) and an alternative viral matrix protein, HIV Gag p55, was used for generation of human seasonal influenza subtype H3N2 VLPs in this study and has been shown to generate VLPs of similar size as influenza particles8. Although influenza vaccines predominantly elicit anti-HA antibodies, the addition of influenza neuraminidase mediates sialidase activity to enable VLP budding from transfected cells9 and also present additional immunogenic targets. To produce RSV VLPs, we also selected the unrelated core of HIV Gag to design prototypical vaccines that present exclusively RSV surface glycoproteins to further demonstrate flexibility of VLP formation using HIV Gag, as previously described and characterized by electron microscopy6,10. Others have previously shown that VLPs presenting RSV glycoproteins can be assembled using various viral components from Newcastle Disease virus (NDV)11, and influenza matrix12. Full-length surface glycoprotein sequences were utilized in this study to retain native conformations that may be necessary for functional receptor binding and antibody recognition assay through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Our examples for use of single plasmid expression systems to generate particles are DENV and CHIKV. In the case of DENV, we can produce subviral particles (SVPs) with no capsid in 293T cells from a single plasmid containing a prM/E structural gene expression cassette13. The term SVP is used to denote the lack of a core or capsid protein in the assembly of viral structural proteins. CHIK VLPs can also be produced using a single plasmid containing a CHIKV structural gene cassette, encoding capsid and envelope proteins, or in insect cells by infecting with a recombinant baculovirus encoding the same structural gene cassette optimized for insect cell expression (Figure 1B-C).
The end result of the expression approaches discussed above is the release of VLPs into cell culture medium that can then be purified via ultracentrifugation through a 20% glycerol cushion. In this report, we present methods to express and purify these VLPs from mammalian and insect cell systems.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="786">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:255px;">Plasmid Maxi Kit</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Qiagen</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">12163</td>
			<td style="width:247px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:255px;">DMEM</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Cellgro</td>
			<td>10-013</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:255px;">Lipofectamine</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td>L3000075</td>
			<td>Lipofectamine 2000, Lipofectamine 3000</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:255px;">Opti-MEM I</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td>31985062</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:255px;">Bac-to-Bac Baculovirus Expression System</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">10359-016</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:255px;">Cimarec I 6 multipoint stirrer plate</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">50094596</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:255px;">Polyclear ultracentrifuge tubes</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Seton</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">7025</td>
			<td>Confirm appropriate tubes for ultracentrifuge and bucket size</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:255px;">Micro BCA Protein Assay Kit</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">23235</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:255px;">Phosphate citrate buffer</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">P4922</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:255px;">o-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">P8287</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:255px;">0.22 &#956;m vacuum filter top (500 mL)</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Nalgene</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">569-0020</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:255px;">Glycerol</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">G5516</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:255px;">H2SO4</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">339741&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:255px;">Sf-900 II SFM</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">10902-096</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

expression and purification of virus-like particles for vaccination

Virus-like particles (VLPs) and subviral particles (SVPs) are an alternative approach to viral vaccine design that offers the advantages of increased biosafety and stability over use of live pathogens. Non-infectious and self-assembling, VLPs are used to present structural proteins as immunogens, bypassing the need for live pathogens or recombinant viral vectors for antigen delivery. In this article, we demonstrate the different stages of VLP design and development for future applications in preclinical animal testing. The procedure includes the following stages: selection of antigen, expression of antigen in cell line of choice, purification of VLPs/SVPs, and quantification for antigen dosing. We demonstrate use of both mammalian and insect cell lines for expression of our antigens and demonstrate how methodologies differ in yield. The methodology presented may apply to a variety of pathogens and can be achieved by substituting the antigens with immunogenic structural proteins of the user&#39;s microorganism of interest. VLPs and SVPs assist with antigen characterization and selection of the best vaccine candidates.

VLP yields were variable by viral antigen construct design. In this protocol, we have demonstrated use of insect and mammalian cells for production of SVP or VLPs in supernatant and purification by ultracentrifugation. Four subtypes of DENV prM/E structural gene expression cassettes were used to construct the versions of DENV SVPs (demarcated as 1-4) in Table 1 and demonstrate a range between 1.1-2.6 mg of total protein in 0.6 ml volumes. For VLPs that require a three gen...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Expression and Purification of Virus-like Particles for Vaccination at JoVE.com

Expression and Purification of Virus-like Particles for Vaccination

Here, we present a protocol for synthesizing virus-like particles using either baculovirus or mammalian expression systems, and ultracentrifugation purification. This highly customizable approach is used to identify viral antigens as vaccine targets in a safe and flexible manner.

Virus-like particles (VLPs) and subviral particles (SVPs) are an alternative approach to viral vaccine design that offers the advantages of increased ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to purify virus-like particles, or VLPs, expressed and secreted by mammalian or insect-cell expression systems. This method can answer key questions in a vaccinoly's field, such as how to express and purify conformationally relevant viral antigens in a safe and flexible manner. The main advantage of this technique is that it does not require protein precipitation using polyethylene glycol or preparation of multiple density layers to concentrate VLPs.Though this method can provide insight into the identification of viral antigens as vaccine targets, VLPs can also be used as tools for disease diagnosis and serology. Visual demonstration of this method is critical as a glycerol underlay in VLP resuspension steps are difficult to learn because beginners may fail to exercise proper technique. On the day of transvection prepare liposome and DNA solutions per the manufacturer's recommendations.Transvect the DNA cells with a DNA composition of one to one to two of HA to NA to Gag and a total DNA quantity of 40 micrograms per T150 flask. Repeat this step to create nine T150 flasks, for a total volume of 200 milliliters. Next, dilute the DNA and liposome solutions in serum-free transvection media without antibiotics, so that each flask contains a total volume of 24 milliliters.Return the flasks to the incubator and maintain the cells and transvection culture medium until the day a virus-like particle, or VLP, harvest. Transfer the supernatant into 50 milliliter conical tubes to harvest the culture from the cells after 72 to 96 hours post-transvection. Spin the cells down to pellet the cellular debris.Collect the supernatants and filter them through a 0.22 micron pour membrane. Culture previously prepared spodoptera frugiperda, or Sf9 cells, in suspension in spinner flasks, by continuously stirring at 130 rpm on a multi-point stirrer plate system. Maintain culture volumes at no more than half the volume of the spinner flask for proper aeration.Next, express CHIK VLPs by infecting 250 milliliters of Sf9 cells in a spinner flask at a density of two times ten to the six cells per milliliter with previously prepared recombinant baculovirus, and return the cells to a 28 degree Celsius incubator. Use trypan blue exclusion to determine if the cell viability has decreased to 70 to 80%Upon confirmation, transfer the cultures directly from suspension into 50 milliliter conical tubes and spin the cells down. Collect the supernatants and filter them through a 0.22 micron pour membrane before sedimentation.Sterilize six 25 millimeter by 89 millimeter open top ultracentrifuge tubes with 70%ethanol. Then, ensure the ethanol has dried off completely. Load 32 milliliters of supernatants into the clean tubes.Next, carefully underlay supernatants with three milliliters of sterile 20%glycerol and PBS. Underlay the glycerol slowly to avoid disruption of the thin density layer between the glycerol and the VLP solution. Dispensing the glycerol too quickly will cause the glycerol and the VLP solutions to mix, reducing VLP sedimentation.Make sure the tubes are balanced, then start the spin. After four hours, remove the tubes from the centrifuge. Aspirate the supernatant, being careful not to dislodge the pellet from the tube.Resuspend the sedimented VLPs in at least 100 microliters at the bottom of the tubes with sterile PBS by gently and slowly pipetting up and down. Resuspension of the VLP pellet should be performed with gentle, slow repeated aspiration and expulsion of PBS using a pipette. Avoid the creation of bubbles to limit VLP loss.Finally, store the resuspended VLPs. VLP volumes and total protein yield from a conventional BCA assay were obtained from a variety of SVP and VLP constructs. CHIK SVP yields from Sf9 cells range between 0.008 to 0.016 milligrams of total protein per milliliter of supernatant volume.While production through mammalian 293 T-cells yields a ten-fold reduction of protein. This electron micrograph image shows that HA Gag core influenza VLPs are successfully expressed, assembled and purified as VLPs. Well attempting this procedure it's important to remember to transvect and infect only healthy and viable cell cultures as this will effect overall protein expression levels.Following this procedure, other methods like BCA, ELIZA, and HA assays can be performed in order to measure total protein content, specific antigen content and expression of the functional HA.Don't forget that working with an ultracentrifuge can be dangerous and precautions such as balancing the tubes, using only recommended rotors and speeds, and proper supervision of new lab personnel should always be taken while performing this procedure.

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21.5K Views.  University of Georgia. The overall goal of this procedure is to purify virus-like particles, or VLPs, expressed and secreted by mammalian or insect-cell expression systems. This method can answer key questions in a vaccinoly's field, such as how to express and purify conformationally relevant viral antigens in a safe and flexible manner. The main advantage of this technique is that it does not require protein precipitation using polyethylene glycol or preparation of multiple density layers to concentrate VLPs.