Virus-Like Particles of SARS-Like Coronavirus Formed by Membrane Proteins from Different Origins Demonstrate Stimulating Activity in Human Dendritic Cells
2008

SARS-Like Coronavirus Virus-Like Particles Stimulate Human Dendritic Cells

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Bai Bingke, Hu Qinxue, Hu Hui, Zhou Peng, Shi Zhengli, Meng Jin, Lu Baojing, Huang Yi, Mao Panyong, Wang Hanzhong

Primary Institution: State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China

Hypothesis

Can the spike protein of SARS-like coronavirus be incorporated into virus-like particles formed by the envelope and membrane proteins of human SARS-CoV to activate dendritic cells?

Conclusion

The study found that virus-like particles formed by the spike protein of SARS-like coronavirus and the membrane proteins of human SARS-CoV effectively stimulated human dendritic cells.

Supporting Evidence

  • Virus-like particles were successfully constructed using a baculovirus system.
  • BVLPs significantly enhanced the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in dendritic cells.
  • BVLPs showed a stronger ability to stimulate dendritic cells compared to SARS-CoV VLPs.

Takeaway

Researchers created virus-like particles from a bat coronavirus and found they could make immune cells called dendritic cells more active, which is important for fighting infections.

Methodology

The study used recombinant baculoviruses to express the spike protein of SARS-like coronavirus and the envelope and membrane proteins of SARS-CoV, followed by co-infection of insect cells to produce virus-like particles.

Limitations

The study did not establish an in vitro infection model for SL-CoV.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0002685

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