Swine-origin pandemic H1N1 influenza virus-like particles produced in insect cells induce hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies in BALB/c mice

Biotechnol J. 2010 Jan;5(1):17-23. doi: 10.1002/biot.200900267.

Abstract

Recent outbreaks of influenza A highlight the importance of rapid and sufficient supply for pandemic and inter-pandemic vaccines. Classical manufacturing methods for influenza vaccines fail to satisfy this demand. Alternatively, cell culture-based production systems and virus-like particle (VLP)-based technologies have been established. We developed swine-origin pandemic H1N1 influenza VLPs consisting of hemagglutinin (A/California/04/2009) and matrix protein. Hemagglutinin and matrix protein were co-expressed in insect cells by the baculovirus expression system. VLPs were harvested from infection supernatants, purified and used for intraperitoneal immunization of BALB/c mice. Immunization induced high serum antibody titers against A/California/04/2009 as well as hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies. Additionally, we compared VLP production in two different insect cell lines, Sf9 and BTI-TN5B1-4 (High Five). Taken together VLPs represent a potential strategy for the fight against new pandemic influenza viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoantibodies / immunology*
  • Cell Line
  • Hemagglutination / drug effects
  • Hemagglutination / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / metabolism*
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Influenza Vaccines / immunology*
  • Influenza Vaccines / metabolism*
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Spodoptera / cytology
  • Spodoptera / genetics
  • Spodoptera / metabolism*
  • Virion / immunology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Recombinant Proteins