Genetic engineering strategies for construction of multivalent chimeric VLPs vaccines

Introduction: Over the past two decades, virus-like particles (VLPs) have been developed as a new generation of vaccines against viral infections. Based on VLPs, chimeric VLPs (chi-VLPs) have been generated through genetic modifications or chemical couplings. For construction of multivalent chi-VLPs vaccines, multiple genetic engineering strategies are continuously being developed. Thus, it is important to provide a summary as reference for researchers in this field. Areas covered: The representative studies on the genetic engineered multivalent chi-VLPs are summarized and mainly focused on chimeric capsid VLPs and chimeric enveloped VLPs. The advantages and limitations of each strategy are also discussed at last, as well as opinions on platform choice and future directions of eVLPs vaccines. Expert opinion: The design of multivalent chi-VLPs vaccines needs to meet the following specifications: 1) the incorporated antigens are suggested to display on the exposed surface of chi-VLPs and do not have excessive adverse effects on the stability of chi-VLPs; 2) the chi-VLPs should elicit protective antibodies against the incorporated antigen as well as the source virus of VLPs. However, there is no requirement of retaining the antigenicity of VLPs when using VLPs solely as carriers for antigens display or drug delivery.