Virus-like particle

Virus - like particles ( VLPs German Virus-like particles) are viral particles do not contain nucleic acids and used for vaccination purposes. The particles of viral origin without viral nucleic acids can not be propagated in the target cells. In contrast to viral vectors because they contain no functional nucleic acids, they are not able to deliver a transgene. While VLPs consist of viral capsids, virosomes are against liposomes with viral membrane proteins.

VLPs are needed in virology and immunology to investigate immune responses, viruses and cell functions. These particles are often not empty, because viruses for assembly or cohesion can become unstable otherwise, but it will be either non-specific nucleic acids packaged or non-functional DNA or RNA with the respective recognition sequences. In addition, targeted proteins are packaged in larger VLPs.

Applications

Some vaccines containing virus - like particles, such as the HPV vaccines and vaccines against hepatitis B virus. The core protein of hepatitis B virus ( HBcAg ) also serves as a basis for the extra domain of the viral protein of the influenza virus matrix protein 2 for the production of broad-based vaccine against influenza. Further VLPs are used based on the Norwalk virus, parvovirus, and filoviruses.