Thimerosal has been widely used as a preservative in drug and vaccine products for decades.Due to the strong propensity to modify thiols in proteins,conformational changes could occur due to covalent bond formation between ethylmercury(a degradant of thimerosal)and thiols.Such a conformational change could lead to partial or even complete loss of desirable protein function.This study aims to investigate the effects of thimerosal on the capsid stability and antigenicity of recombinant human papillomavirus(HPV)18 virus-like particles(VLPs).Dramatic destabilization of the recombinant viral capsid upon thimerosal treatment was observed.Such a negative effect on the thermal stability of VLPs preserved with thimerosal was shown to be dependent on the thimerosal concentration.Two highly neutralizing antibodies,13H12 and 3C3,were found to be the most sensitive to thimerosal treatment.The kinetics of antigenicity loss,when monitored with 13H12 or 3C3 as probes,yielded two distinctly different sets of kinetic parameters,while the data from both monoclonal antibodies(mAbs)followed a biphasic expo-nential decay model.The potential effect of thimerosal on protein function,particularly for thiol-containing proteinaceous active components,needs to be comprehensively characterized during formulation development when a preservative is necessary.

Baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) has been successfully applied to the over-expression of various proteins, thus providing sufficient materials for vaccine research. Compared to other systems, BEVS has many advantages: baculovirus solely being parasitic in invertebrates, the resultant products conferring high safety to mammalian, high expression level of recombinant proteins, preferable folding for eukaryotic protein, proper post-translational modification required for biological function, suitable for multiple genes co-expression and large-scale production with serum-free culture media. To better understand the advantages and prospective of BEVS for the vaccine research, this article will review the development of BEVS and its application on vaccine research.
Animals ; Baculoviridae ; Genetic Vectors ; Prospective Studies ; Recombinant Proteins ; Vaccines

We constructed the CAP2NC prokaryotic expression vector of HIV-1 NL4-3 strain and obtained relatively pure CAP2NC protein by optimizing its purification conditions to explore its in vitro self-assembly conditions. Primers were designed according to the CAP2NC DNA sequence of HIV-1 NL4-3 strain. The target gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pTO-T7. Then the recombinant strain was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). IPTG induced protein expression, then the protein was purified by hydrophobic chromatography. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting were performed to analyze the target protein, and the biological activity of the antigen was identified through ELISA. The self-assembly of CAP2NC protein was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and gel filtration chromatography. The protein had good reaction with the specific antibodies of p24 and formed different structures in various conditions. When 10% yeast RNA was added to the protein complex, the recombinant protein only formed into a tubular structure, which was similar to the self-assembled structure of the HIV-1 virus capsid. The results showed that the HIV-1 CAP2NC protein had in vitro self-assembly activity, and the RNA affected the structure of CAP2NC protein assembly. The protein can be used as a simple and effective molecular model to study its structure, and then it can provide a reference for the study of HIV immature virus particles.

Objective: To establish a triple-color pseudovirion-based neutralization assay (PBNA) and evaluate its capability of detecting immunogenicity of the sera generated by the immunization of HPV 9-valent vaccine. Methods: HPV pseudovirus (PsVs) 6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 with the encapsidated fluorescence expressing red fluorescent plasmid N31-MCHREEY, green fluorescent N31-EGFP or blue fluorescent N31-mTagBFP were generated. The concentration of HPV PsVs and the infection titers of HPV PsVs were detected by double-antibody sandwich ELISA and TCID₅₀, respectively. The single- and triple color HPV 16/33/45 PsVs were used to detect the neutralization titers of mice sera immunized with HPV 9-valent vaccine and confirmed the accuracy and specificity of the triple-color PBNAs. Then, the single- and triple color HPV 6/11/18/31/33/45/52/58 PsVs were employed to detect the neutralization titers of cynomolgus macaques sera immunized with HPV 9-valent vaccine and determined whether the triple-color PBNAs could be applied to evaluate the immunogenicity of the sera generated by the immunization of HPV9-valent vaccine. Results: The concentration of HPV16 PsVs encapsulating green, red or blue fluorescent plasmid was 5.0 to 6.0 μg/ml and HPV6/11/18/31/33/45/52/59 triple-color HPV PsVs was about 1.0 to 3.0 μg/ml. 9 types HPV PsVs containing EGFP, Mcherry or mTagBFP reporter plasmid were obtained and the concentration can meet the need of neutralization detection. 9 types single-color fluorescent HPV PsVs had similar infectivity against 293FT cells with the infection titer values between 1×10⁴ and 1×10⁵. The results of PBNAs showed that there was no significant difference in the anti-HPV neutralization titers of mice sera induced by HPV 9-valent vaccine between single-color and triple-color HPV16/33/45 PsVs (P>0.05). Similarly, there was also no significant difference in the anti-HPV neutralization titers of cynomolgus macaques sera induced by HPV 9-valent vaccine between single-color and triple-color HPV6/11/18/31/33/45/52/58 PsVs (P>0.05). Conclusion We successfully established the triple-color PBNAs and verified the accuracy and specificity of triple-color PBNAs consistent with single-color PBNAs. The triple-color PBNAs can be applied to evaluate the immunogenicity of HPV 9-valent vaccine's immune serum.

Objective To establish an efficient baculovirus-insect cell expression system for the production of human immunodeficiency virus-1 ( HIV-1 ) envelope glycoprotein gp120 and to evaluate the physiochemical properties, antigenicity and immunogenicity of the recombinant protein. Methods The gene encoding HIV-1 NL4-3 gp120 was cloned into the downstream of pH promoter of the baculovirus transfer vec-tor pAcgp67B to construct the recombinant transfer vector pAc-gp120. Expression of the protein of interest was induced in baculovirus-infected High FiveTM insect cells. ELISA, analytical ultracentrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography were carried out to characterize physicochemical properties of the expressed gp120 protein. Immunogenicity of the recombinant gp120 protein was analyzed by HIV neutralization assay after im-munizing BALB/c mice with it. Results The recombinant HIV-1 gp120 protein was successfully obtained from the established insect cell expression system with a purity of more than 90％ and a mean yield of 13 mg/L in four batches. That recombinant HIV-1 gp120 protein was characterized by homogeneity in solution and possessed a good immunoreactivity to neutralizing antibodies and antisera against HIV. Immunogenicity analysis in BALB/c mice demonstrated that the recombinant gp120 protein could induce effective immune re-sponses against HIV-1 NL4-3. Conclusion A simple and scalable approach to obtain homogeneous and im-munogenic HIV-1 gp120 antigen is successfully established, which will promote further investigation of HIV vaccine candidates.

Persistant infection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause leading to cervical cancer, which is ranked as second cancer threatening the health of women following breast cancer.Development of HPV vaccine is very important because there is no effective therapeutics for cervical cancer.Three currently licensed HPV vaccines based on major capsid protein L1 in the foreign market confered good safety and efficacy in clinical trials, but the current price is expensive due to high cost, which limits the wide application in developing countries.So far, the vaccines have not been launced in China market.Here, we review the progress and the current status of the HPV vaccine, which will attract the readers’ interest on the forthcoming emergence of HPV vaccine in China.

Objective To quantitatively analyze the characteristics of a panel of murine anti-human papillomavirus(HPV)11 L1-derived virus-like particle( VLP ) monoclonal antibodies ( mAbs ) and establish the mAb-based methods for antigen quality analysis.Methods A panel of 22 murine anti-HPV11 mAbs were characterized in details with their isotype, and binding affinity, conformational sensitivity were examined quantitatively in the direct binding ELISA and Western blot.The hemagglutination inhibition activity of mAbs were identified using the hemagglutination inhibition assay and the pseudovirus ( PsV ) neutralization efficiency were examined quantitatively using the PsV-based neutralization assay.The type-specific, highly conformational sensitive and neutralizing mAbs were selected to be used in the sandwich ELISA assay.Results Based on the quantitative and semi-quantitative results, six type-specific, highly conformational sensitive and neutralizing mAbs (2A2, 4A1-3, 16G7, 14A6, 9C1 and 19C7) were identified.These mAbs, along with 10D6 were screened as the capture mAb or as the detection mAb in the sandwich ELISA.Conclusion The binding affinity, conformational sensitivity and neutralization efficiency of anti-HPV11 mAbs were characterized in details.A mAb-based sandwich ELISA assay (14A6:Ag:9C12-HRP) were developed, which could be used in the in vitro potency analysis of HPV11 VLP-based vaccine.

Objective To establish a mouse model of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) pseudovirion (PsV) transmission and evaluate the protective potency of HPV16 VLP vaccine.Methods HPV16 PsV with the encapsidated luciferase expressing plasmid Luc were generated from 293FT cells and purified by size-exclusion chromatography.The endpoint titers of HPV16 PsV-Luc were determined on 293FT cells, denoted as TRLU/mL.For in vivo genital challenge, mice were synchronized in a diestrus-like status by a subcutaneous injection with 0.1 μg β-estradiol and then with 3mg DepoProvera after 24 hours.Six hours prior to HPV16 PsV-Luc challenge, deeply anesthetized mice were intravaginally pretreated with 50 μL of 4%nonoxynol-9 ( N-9 ).HPV16 PsV-Luc was thoroughly mixed with 20 μL solution containing 4%carboxymethylcellulose ( CMC ) and intravaginally instilled using a positive-displacement pipette.Forty-eight hours after PsV-Luc challenge, mice were anesthetized and D luciferin was intravaginally instilled.After 3 minites, bioluminescence was measured with a cryogenically cooled Xenogen IVIS camera system.Then,the murine genital challenge model was used to determine the potency that HPV16 VLP vaccine is efficient at preventing HPV infection.Results HPV16 PsV-Luc was generated and purified from 293FT cells.HPV16 PsV-Luc was verified to containe L1 and L2 protein by Western blot.HPV 16 PsV-Luc successfully infected vaginal epithelial cells of mouse and the murine genital challenge model was established.To achieve consistent bioluminescence, the minimal dose of HPV16 PsV-Luc was 1.7 ×104 TRLU.The protective potency of HPV16 VLP vaccine was shown using this murine model.Our data showed that immune serum with over neutralizing antibody titer of 256-fold was sufficient to confer protection against HPV PsV genital infection .Conclusion The murine genital challenge model of HPV16 was successfully established, and the model is used to evaluate the potency of HPV16 VLP vaccine against in vivo genital HPV16 PsV challenge.Our model will benefit for the investigation of HPV neutralization and the potency evaluation of the HPV vaccine .

Objective To obtain monoclonal antibodies ( mAbs ) against neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin ( NGAL ) and a chemiluminescense immune quantification assay based one paired mAbs.Methods Six-to-eight weeks old female BALB/c mice were immunized with the purified recombinant human NGAL antigen( rhNGAL) that was produced by the Escherichia coil expression system.The spleen was fused with hybridoma for screening anti-NGAL monoclonal antibodies by indirect ELISA.Western blot was implemented to identify the reactivity with native NGAL. Results The rhNGAL antigen was found to form disulfide cross-linked dimers and present excellent immunogenicity.The reaction titer of the immune serum of NGAL immunized mice was about 106.Thirty mAbs were screened by indirect ELISA, hereinto;the EC50 values of mAb23C12 and 38D10 were 0.034 g/mL, 0.022 g/mL respectively.The antibodies pair, 38D10/23C12-SAE labeled with AcridiniumEster(AE), were shown to work well in chemiluminescense immune response quantitative detection which was screened by NGAL standardand clinical urine samples.This detection can resolve positive and negative samples with a statistically significant difference (P<0.0001).And the correlation coefficient R2between NGAL quantitative results and that of the Abbott's NGAL chemiluminescence immune assay kit was greater than 0.97.The detection linear range was 10-1500 ng/mL, analytical sensitivity of the method was 0.63 ng/mL.Conclusion Highly purified rhNGAL antigen and specific anti-NGAL monoclonal antibodies are generated in this study.The detection capability of method is comparable with that of the international commercial kit.

Antibodies, Monoclonal ; chemistry ; immunology ; Antigens, Viral ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Binding Sites ; Capsid Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Epitopes ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Hepatitis E ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Hepatitis E virus ; chemistry ; immunology ; Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Peptide Mapping ; Protein Binding ; Recombinant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; biosynthesis