VLP-Based Vaccines as a Suitable Technology to Target Trypanosomatid Diseases

• Published in: Vaccines (Basel) Vol. 9; no. 3; p. 220
• Main Authors: Queiroz, Aline Maria Vasconcelos, Oliveira, Johny Wysllas de Freitas, Moreno, Cláudia Jassica, Guérin, Diego M A, Silva, Marcelo Sousa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 05-03-2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Adjuvants; African trypanosomiasis; Antigens; Chagas disease; Context; COVID-19; Cytokines; Development strategies; Gene expression; Human papillomavirus; Immune system; Immunostimulation; Infections; Infectious diseases; Leishmaniasis; Parasites; Parasitic diseases; Protozoa; Review; Tropical diseases; trypanosomatids; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; vaccine; Vaccines; Vector-borne diseases; Viral infections; Virulence; Virus-like particles; Viruses; trypanosomatids; Chagas disease; virus-like particles; vaccine; leishmaniasis; African trypanosomiasis
• ISSN: 2076-393X; 2076-393X
• DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9030220

Research on vaccines against trypanosomatids, a family of protozoa that cause neglected tropical diseases, such as Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and sleeping sickness, is a current need. Today, according to modern vaccinology, virus-like particle (VLP) technology is involved in many vaccines, including those undergoing studies related to COVID-19. The potential use of VLPs as vaccine adjuvants opens an opportunity for the use of protozoan antigens for the development of vaccines against diseases caused by
,
spp., and
. In this context, it is important to consider the evasion mechanisms of these protozoa in the host and the antigens involved in the mechanisms of the parasite-host interaction. Thus, the immunostimulatory properties of VLPs can be part of an important strategy for the development and evaluation of new vaccines. This work aims to highlight the potential of VLPs as vaccine adjuvants for the development of immunity in complex diseases, specifically in the context of tropical diseases caused by trypanosomatids.