Production of rotavirus-like particles in Spodoptera frugiperda larvae

A strategy for the production of virus-like particles (VLPs) from simian rotavirus in larvae of the lepidopteran Spodoptera frugiperda is described. VP2 and VP6 coding sequences were co-expressed in larvae co-infected with recombinant baculovirus and these structural proteins self-assembled into VLPs that were secreted and accumulated in the haemolymph. Under electron microscopy, VLPs produced in larvae were indistinguishable from those produced in Sf9 insect cell cultures. The results showed that it is possible to obtain rotavirus VLPs in larvae reducing significantly the costs of production, making this approach an alternative for the manufacture of live rotavirus vaccines.