Virus-like particles based on rotavarus A recombinant VP2/VP6 proteins for assessment the antibody immune response by ELISA

Introduction. Rotavirus infection is one of the main concerns in infectious pathology in humans, mammals and birds. Newborn piglets or rodents are usually being used as a laboratory model for the evaluation of immunogenicity and efficacy for all types of vaccines against rotavirus A (RVA), and the use of ELISA for the detection of virus-specific antibodies of specific isotype is an essential step of this evaluation. Objective. Development of indirect solid-phase ELISA with VP2/VP6 rotavirus VLP as an antigen to detect and assess the distribution of RVA-specific IgG, IgM and IgA in the immune response to rotavirus A. Materials and methods. VP2/VP6 rotavirus VLP production and purification, electron microscopy, PAGE, immunoblotting, ELISA, virus neutralization assay. Results. The study presents the results of development of a recombinant baculovirus with RVA genes VP2-eGFP/VP6, assessment of its infectious activity and using it for VLP production. The morphology of the VP2/VP6 rotavirus VLPs was assessed, the structural composition was determined, and the high antigenic activity of the VLP was established. VLP-based ELISA assay was developed and here we report results for RVA-specific antibody detection in sera of different animals. Conclusion. The developed ELISA based on VP2/VP6 rotavirus VLP as a universal antigen makes it possible to detect separately IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies to rotavirus A, outlining its scientific and practical importance for the evaluation of immunogenicity and efficacy of traditional vaccines against rotavirus A and those under development.