Virus-like particles produced in plants as potential vaccines

Abstract

Virus-like particles (VLPs) have been produced as candidate vaccines in plants virtually since the introduction of biofarming. Even today, VLPs remain the best candidates for safe, immunogenic, efficacious and inexpensive vaccines. Well-characterized human animal viruses such as HBV, HCV, HIV and HPV, rotaviruses, norovirus, foot and mouth disease viruses and even influenza virus proteins have all been successfully investigated for VLP formation. Proteins have been produced in transgenic plants and via transient expression techniques; simple structures, structures depending on more than one protein, naked and enveloped particles have all been made. There have been multiple proofs of concept, more than a few proofs of efficacy, and several products moved into human trials. This review will cover the history of VLP production in plants, and will explore a few examples in detail to illustrate the potential of such a mode of production for human and animal medicine.

Keywords::

• foot and mouth disease virus
• HBV
• HCV
• hepatitis
• HIV
• HPV
• norovirus
• papillomavirus
• rotavirus
• virus-like particle

Financial & competing interests disclosure

EP Rybicki has previously had ties with Era Biotech (Spain) as a consultant and collaborator, and presently works with Medicago Inc. (Canada) as a consultant. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.