Pseudotyping
Pseudotyping is the process of producing
dangerous viruses can be studied in a lower risk setting.[2]
Pseudotyping allows one to control the expression of envelope proteins. A frequently used protein is the
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) which mediates entry via the LDL receptor. Envelope proteins incorporated into the pseudovirus allow the virus to readily enter different cell types with the corresponding host receptor
.
Vaccine development
Pseudotyped virus can be used to vaccinate animals against proteins expressed on the envelope of the virion.Ebolavirus Disease (EVD) caused by Zaire ebolavirus.
Serological testing
Pseudotyped viruses, especially pseudotyped viruses carrying a
serological immunity to a virus. A separate pseudovirus is generated with an envelope protein from the virus that the animal has immunity to. The pseudovirus is further engineered to contain a gene for luciferase. When the blood drawn from the animal is mixed with the pseudovirus, the protective antibodies bind and neutralize the introduced envelope protein. In cell culture, neutralized pseudoviruses will be prevented from infecting cells and producing the luminescent reporter gene product. When analysed, cell culture samples where an effective inhibitor of the virus is present will have reduced luminescence.[4]