These compositions of virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines could provide the basis for the design and production of a non-infectious trivalent poliovirus VLP vaccine for worldwide eradication of the virus. Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease that targets the brain and spinal cord, causing paralysis. It has no cure, but effective vaccines can prevent the spread of the disease. Today, polio continues to circulate in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria. The only polio vaccine the United States has only given since 2000 is the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV). The use of the inactivated poliovirus vaccine and the oral poliovirus vaccine, a live vaccine, have reduced the incidence of poliovirus infections. However, the inactivated poliovirus vaccine requires production of wild-type poliovirus, an expensive and potentially dangerous production as it could result in the accidental release of the virus into the human population. In addition, the oral, live vaccine can spread from immunized individuals and revert to a pathogenic form of the virus that can cause paralytic poliomyelitis.
University of Florida researchers have created compositions of VLP vaccines for poliovirus that eliminate the problems associated with available vaccines. These compositions demonstrate the feasibility of developing a non-infectious poliovirus VLP vaccine that could eradicate the poliovirus and be used in a post-eradication world should the virus accidentally be released.
Development of non-infectious VLP vaccine that aligns with the long-term goal of global poliovirus eradication
University of Florida researchers used a rational mutagenic approach to develop a non-infectious poliovirus VLP vaccine. They were able to employ virus capsids empty of nucleic acid to produce stable forms of VLPs that confer an antigenic surface producing an immunogenic response. These compositions demonstrate the feasibility of developing a non-infectious poliovirus VLP vaccine that could potentially eradicate poliovirus worldwide.