Engineering self-assembling proteins to produce a safe and effective vaccine for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome
Abstract
Commercially available vaccines for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) provide some control over the virus but none are ideal since they either are not completely safe for use, lack efficacy in promoting long-lasting immunity or provide no protection from heterologous PRRSV strains. Innovative approaches to designing vaccines are being pursued to overcome these drawbacks. One example is the use of nanoparticles to present a dense array of antigenic epitopes to the immune system which can effectively stimulate antibody producing cells (B cells) and T cells, resulting in long-lasting immunity. Here, I genetically fused antigenic epitopes from PRRSV to multiple self-assembling protein nanoparticles and assessed their ability to be produced recombinantly in E. coli. The most successful candidate was purified to homogeneity and demonstrated via multiple biochemical and biophysical techniques to assemble like the native nanoparticle. Immunological testing will reveal the candidate’s efficacy as a vaccine against PRRSV.