Enhanced Immunogenicity of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus-like Particles Using a Water-in-Oil-in-Water Adjuvant

Overview

Journal Vaccines (Basel)

Date 2025 Jan 24

PMID 39852803

Authors

Yujie Zhou

Wenzhu Yin

Zhidong Teng

Yanyan Zhao

Yu Lu

Yingjuan Qian

Bihua Deng

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) causes significant economic losses, prompting vaccination as a primary control strategy. Virus-like particles (VLPs) have emerged as promising candidates for FMD vaccines but require adjuvants to enhance their immunogenicity. In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity of a VLP-based vaccine with a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion adjuvant, named WT.

Methods: The WT adjuvant was mixed with FMD VLPs to form the VLPs+WT vaccine. The size and stability of the vaccine were analyzed. BALB/c mice were immunized with the VLPs+WT vaccine, and immunological responses were assessed through antibody measurements, cytokine profiling, and gene expression analysis. In addition, splenic lymphocyte proliferation and signaling pathways were examined.

Results: The VLPs+WT vaccine exhibited a homogeneous size of 324.60 ± 2.30 nm and a viscosity of 8.76 mPa·s, indicating good stability. Immunized mice showed steady weight gain and no organ abnormalities. Compared to the VLPs group, the VLPs+WT group induced significantly higher levels of specific antibodies that persisted for 12 weeks, similar to the commercial VLPs+ISA201 vaccine. The VLPs+WT vaccine also enhanced the secretion of Th1-related (IgG2a, IFN-γ) and Th2-related (IgG1, IL-4) molecules. WT stimulated splenic lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation, primarily activating B-cell receptor signaling and phagosome pathways. It also upregulated genes associated with MHC and interferon stimulation while promoting the expression of MyD88, PI3K, AKT, p65, and p-p65 proteins.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that WT is an effective adjuvant for FMD VLP-based vaccines, with potential for improving vaccine efficacy.

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