Virus-like particles, methods of preparation, and immunogenic compositions

A virus-like particle (VLP), comprising:

• a viral core protein that can self assemble into a VLP core;
• at least one viral surface envelope glycoprotein expressed on the surface of the VLP;
• and
• at least one adjuvant molecule expressed on the surface of the VLP.

A method of making a virus-like particle (VLP), comprising the steps of:

• providing a viral core protein expression vector;
• providing a viral surface envelope surface glycoprotein expression vector;
• providing a adjuvant molecule expression vector;
• and
• introducing into a cell the viral core protein expression vector, the viral surface envelope surface glycoprotein expression vector, and the adjuvant molecule expression vector and allowing for expression of the viral surface envelope surface glycoprotein and the adjuvant molecule,
• whereby the VLP is formed by the cells.

A method of making a virus-like particle (VLP), comprising the steps of:

• operably linking a coding sequence for a viral core protein of a virus to a promoter, and inserting it into a viral core protein expression vector;
• operably linking a coding sequence for a viral surface envelope glycoprotein of a virus to a promoter, and inserting it into a viral surface envelope surface glycoprotein expression vector;
• operably linking a coding sequence for an adjuvant molecule to a promoter, and inserting it into a adjuvant molecule expression vector;
• simultaneously introducing into a cell the viral core protein expression vector, the viral surface envelope surface glycoprotein expression vector, and the adjuvant molecule expression vector and allowing for expression of the viral surface envelope surface glycoprotein and the adjuvant molecule,
• whereby the VLP is formed by the cells.