This study aims to establish a method for counting the viral particles in adenovirus vector-based vaccines. Nano-flow cytometry was employed to analyze the viral particles in adenovirus-based vector vaccines at the single-particle level. Monodisperse silica nanoparticles with a refractive index close to that of the virus were selected as the particle size standard to calculate the viral particle size, which was then compared with the results obtained from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine the gating strategy. Subsequently, a particle count standard was employed to calculate the viral particle concentration. The established method demonstrated good linearity, accuracy, precision, and specificity. The results of determined viral particle concentration showed a good correlation with the infectious titer. Compared with the conventional OD₂₆₀ method, nano-flow cytometry can directly measure the viral particle concentration and indicate whether the sample has been disassembled according to changes in viral particle concentration and size, thus more accurately reflecting the actual infectious potency of the sample. The novel quantification method established in this study is capable of indicating the efficacy of adenovirus vector-based vaccines and provides effective technical support for the quality control of such products.
Adenoviridae/genetics* ; Genetic Vectors ; Flow Cytometry/methods* ; Virion/isolation & purification* ; Particle Size ; Nanoparticles ; Viral Vaccines

To construct a recombinant expression plasmid Bacmid-P1-3CD containing the P1 and 3CD genes of enterovirus 71(EV71), the P1 and 3CD genes were cloned into the same baculovirus shuttle vector (Bacmid). Recombinant AcMNPV-P1-3CD was obtained by transfecting the Bacmid-P1-3CD into the insect cell line of S f9. With the IFA and Western-blot methods for identification of expression products confirmed that the target protein was expressed in interior of infected S f9 cells. Electron microscopy showed that the structural protein capsid P1 was cut by virus-encoded protease 3CD and assembled into EV71 virus like particles (VLPs) about 27nm diameter. Different values of MOI and time points of expression were compared to explore the optimal expression condition, and the results showed that the time point could be a more important factor. Then we used S f9 cells with serum-free medium in CellSTACK-10 Culture Chambers to produce EV71 VLPs in the confirmed condition. After purification of VLPs by density gradient centrifugation, we observed on SDS-PAGE profile the purified sample contained three major proteins whose molecular masses corresponded to those of VP1 (39kD), VP0 (34kD) and VP3 (26kD) as well as the intact structure, which can be greatly used for further study in protein structure and genetic engineering vaccine research.
Animals ; Baculoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Enterovirus A, Human ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Gene Expression ; Spodoptera ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Virion ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Virus Assembly

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-based vectors that can stably express therapeutic genes in vivo without detectable side-effect have shown great promise for human gene therapy. A major challenge for translation of promising research to clinical development is how to establish clinically compatible purification methods in separating rAAV from potentially pathogenic impurities, especially rAAV vector-related impurities, a class of impurities corresponding to AAV particles that closely resemble bona fide vectors and are difficult to remove. In this review we summarize the assembly process of rAAV vector-related impurities and their characteristics differed with rAAV vectors, and evaluate several current technologies to prevent their formation or separate them from rAAV stocks.
Capsid Proteins ; isolation & purification ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Recombination, Genetic ; Virion ; isolation & purification ; Virus Assembly ; genetics ; Virus Replication ; genetics

Here, we presented a method to bacterially express the major structural protein L1 of Human Papillomavirus type 18 (HPV18) as soluble form. We found that the purified L1 could self-assemble to virus-like particles (VLPs). Further, we investigated the immunogenicity and the induced level of neutralizing antibody using these VLPs. First, the genome of HPV18 was cloned from a patient in Xiamen. It was used as template for PCR amplification of HPV18 L1 gene. The resultant DNA fragment was inserted into expression vector pTrxFus and expressed in Escherichia coli GI724. Second, L1 protein was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography; and the purified L1 was subjected to self-assembly to form VLPs with the removal of premixed reductant DTT. Finally, the size and morphology of these VLPs was investigated by Dynamic Light Scattering and Transmission Electronic Microscopy as 29.34 nm in hydrated radius and globular particles similar with native HPV18. The half effective dosage (ED50) and maximum level of neutralizing antibody elicitation were measured by vaccinations on mice, rabbit and goat using pseudovirus neutralization cell model. The results showed that the ED50 of HPV18 VLPs is 0.006 microg in mice, and the maximum titer of neutralizing antibody elicited in rabbit and goat is up to 10(7). As a conclusion, we can provide HPV18 VLPs with highly immunogenicity from prokaryote expression system, which may pave a new way for research and development of prophylactic vaccine for HPV18.
Animals ; Capsid Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Goats ; Human papillomavirus 18 ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Mice ; Oncogene Proteins, Viral ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Virion ; genetics ; immunology

HPV16 L1 gene was amplified from HPV16 positive vaginal secretion sample by PCR, and inserted into pTO-T7 to obtain the recombinant expression vector pTO-T7-HPV16-L1. Then, the pTO-T7-HPV16-L1 was transformed into E. coil strain ER2566 and the recombinant protein HPV16 L1 was expressed in soluble form. After purification by ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography, and hydrophobic interaction chromatography, the recombinant protein HPV16 L1 had a purity of more than 98%. By removing DTT, purified HPV16 L1 proteins self-assembled in vitro into VLPs with the diameter of 50 nm. The vaccination experiments on experimental animals showed the VLPs could elicit high titer of neutralizing antibodies against HPV 16. HPV16 VLPs with high immunogenicity and high purity can be produced easily and effectively from an E. coli expression system in the study, and thus can be used in structure investigation and HPV16 vaccine development.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; ultrastructure ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Goats ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; genetics ; immunology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Male ; Oncogene Proteins, Viral ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; immunology ; virology ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Vaccination ; Virion ; genetics ; immunology

The baculovirus expression system was employed to prepare the virus-like particles (VLPs) of human parvovirus B19. The synthesized VP2 gene of B19 was inserted into the multi-cloning site (MCS) of pFastBac1 vector; the resulting plasmid was transferred to the Escherichia coli DH10Bac competent cells, which contain a baculovirus shuttle vector (Bacmid), to generate Bacmid-VP2 by site-specific transposition. Recombinant baculovirus carrying VP2 gene (rBac-VP2) was then rescued from Bacmid-VP2-transfected Sf9 cells. Indirect immunofluorescence and Western blotting were used to identify the VP2 protein in rBac-VP2-infected Sf9 cells, and the VLPs were observed under transmission electron microscope after being enriched by ultracentrifugation. The B19 VLPs were successfully produced in insect cells with baculovirus expression system, which will facilitate the development of diagnostic reagents to detect the antibody against B19 virus in human serum.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Baculoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Capsid Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Parvovirus B19, Human ; genetics ; immunology ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Virion ; genetics ; metabolism

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia ; virology ; Female ; Flavivirus ; isolation & purification ; Hepacivirus ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Middle Aged ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; virology ; Virion ; isolation & purification

BACKGROUNDTo find the pathogenic agents of aseptic meningitis prevalent in Xuzhou of Jiangsu province in 2001.

METHODSThe enterovirus (EV) was cultured from CSF of the patients and identified with anti-serum by neutralization test. Neutralization titer of antibody in paired sera from meningitis children was determined. EV RNA was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSFour strains of Coxsackievirus B5, 2 strains of Coxsackievirus B3 and 1 strain of Echovirus 7 were isolated from 22 CSF specimens. The isolation rate of virus was 31.8% (7/22), 21 CSF were tested by RT-PCR, the positive rate of EV RNA was 52.4% (11/21); 57.9% (11/19) of patients paired-sera had over 4 folds antibody rise or became seroconverted.

CONCLUSIONEnterovirus was the pathogenic agent of aseptic meningitis prevalent in Xuzhou of Jiangsu province, the main serotype of the virus was Coxsackievirus B5.

Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; cerebrospinal fluid ; epidemiology ; virology ; Echovirus Infections ; cerebrospinal fluid ; epidemiology ; virology ; Enterovirus ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant ; Meningitis, Aseptic ; cerebrospinal fluid ; epidemiology ; virology ; Microscopy, Electron ; Neutralization Tests ; Prevalence ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Virion ; isolation & purification ; ultrastructure

To prepare carboxyl terminus truncated human papillomavirus type 58L1 protein, and study on its in vitro bioactivity. PCR was used to amplify carboxyl terminus truncated HPV 58L1 gene, the product was inserted into the PUCMT cloning vector, preparing recombinant PFastBacHTb containing carboxyl terminus truncated HPV58L1 gene. Further more, the recombinant plasmid PfastbacHTb was used to transform DH10Bac cells, constructing recombinant Baculovirus, then the recombinant virus was successfully used to infect Sf-9 insect cells. After incubating at 27 degrees C for 72 hours, the infected cells were collected and total cellular proteins were extracted. The target protein with MW 58KD was revealed by SDS-PAGE and confirmed by Western blot. The interested protein was purified by ProBond purification system. The purified interested protein was identified to self-assemble into VLPs by Transmission electron microscope, and induce murine erythrocyte hemagglutination, indicating that the given proteins had the conformation of VLPs, collecting, HPV58L1 proteins with carboxyl terminus truncation could be efficiently expressed in baculovirus Sf-9 cells expression system, it has identical in vitro bioactivity to the wild type HPV58L1, The present study is fundmental for preparing HPV58L1 prophylactic vaccine.
Animals ; Baculoviridae ; genetics ; Blotting, Western ; Cloning, Molecular ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Papillomaviridae ; genetics ; Papillomavirus Vaccines ; immunology ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; isolation & purification ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology ; Viral Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Virion ; immunology

OBJECTIVESTo develop a new method for amplifying and sequencing the full-length of HBV genome.

METHODSA pair of primers located at the nick region of HBV molecule and a thermostable polymerase with high fidelity and sensitivity were used. After cloning the PCR products into a plasmid, the sequences of HBV genome were analyzed.

RESULTSThe full-length of HBV genome were acquired using this method. The sensitivity and fidelity of the new method were also analyzed. The least quantity of initial templates was 10(2) and the artificial mutation rate was 1.2 bp/kb.

CONCLUSIONThis method can be used in amplification and sequence analysis of the full-length of HBV genome on a large scale.

DNA Primers ; genetics ; Gene Amplification ; Genome, Viral ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; virology ; Humans ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Virion ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification