Parvovirus B19 VLP VP1/VP2

Parvovirus B19 is a small DNA virus that belongs to the Parvoviridae family. It is a common human pathogen known for its strong tropism to erythroid progenitor cells. The virus is the causative agent of erythema infectiosum, also known as fifth disease, and can lead to various medical conditions such as arthritis, myocarditis, hydrops fetalis, and aplastic crisis .

The viral capsid of Parvovirus B19 is composed of two structural proteins: VP1 and VP2. VP2 is the major capsid protein, accounting for about 95% of the capsid, while VP1 is the minor protein, making up the remaining 5% . The capsid has an icosahedral structure with a diameter of approximately 260 Å and is composed of 60 capsid proteins .

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are non-infectious mimics of viruses that lack the viral genome but retain the immunogenic properties of the native virus. VLPs are used in vaccine development and immunological studies due to their ability to elicit strong immune responses without causing disease .

The recombinant Parvovirus B19 VLP VP1/VP2 co-capsid is produced using baculovirus expression systems in insect cells . This recombinant technology allows for the co-assembly of VP1 and VP2 into VLPs, which are structurally and immunologically similar to the native virus . The recombinant VLPs are highly purified, with a purity greater than 80% .

Recombinant Parvovirus B19 VLPs have several applications in research and medicine:

• Vaccine Development: VLPs are used to develop vaccines that can elicit neutralizing antibody responses without the risk of infection .
• Immunological Studies: VLPs are used to study the antigenic properties of the virus and to generate antibodies that specifically target the VP1 and VP2 proteins .
• Diagnostic Tools: VLPs can be used in diagnostic assays to detect antibodies against Parvovirus B19 in patient samples .