Growth of these baculovirus recombinants in insect cells results in the expression of virus-like particles (VLPs) that are antigenically indistinguishable from the native calicivirus particle.

The noroviruses (known as “Norwalk-like viruses”) are associated with an estimated 23,000,000 cases of acute gastroenteritis in the United States each year. Norovirus illness often occurs in outbreaks, affecting large numbers of individuals, illustrated recently by well-publicized reports of gastroenteritis outbreaks on several recreational cruise ships and in settings such as hospitals and schools. Norovirus disease is clearly important in terms of medical costs and missed workdays, and accumulating data support its emerging recognition as important agents of diarrhea-related morbidity.

Because the noroviruses cannot be propagated by any means in the laboratory, an important strategy in their study is the development of molecular biology-based tools. This invention reports the development of recombinant baculoviruses carrying the capsid gene from several caliciviruses associated with human disease. Growth of these baculovirus recombinants in insect cells results in the expression of virus-like particles (VLPs) that are antigenically indistinguishable from the native calicivirus particle. These VLPs can be purified in large quantities for use as diagnostic reagents and potential vaccine candidates.

An example of the application of these materials is further described in KY Green et al., “A predominant role for Norwalk-like viruses as agents of epidemic gastroenteritis in Maryland nursing homes for the elderly,” J. Infect. Dis. 2002 Jan. 15;185(2):133-146. [PubMed abs]

HHS Reference No. E-198-2003/0 -- Research Material

Inventors:
Kim Y. Green, Judy F. Lew, Adriene D. King, Stanislav V. Sosnovtsev, Gael M. Belliot (NIAID)

Licensees Sought:
The materials embodied in this invention are available nonexclusively through a biological materials license.

Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, NIAID, NIH, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize norovirus VLP antigens. Please contact Kim Y. Green at kgreen@niaid.nih.gov for more information.