Production of SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles in insect cells

ABSTRACT Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) causes a serious threat to human health. To production of SARS-COV-2 virus-like particles (VLPs) in insect cells for vaccine development and scientific research. The E, M and S genes were cloned into multiple cloning sites of the new triple expression plasmid with one p10 promoter, two pPH promoters and three multiple cloning sites. The plasmid was transformed into DH10 Bac TM Escherichia coli competent cells to obtain recombinant bacmid. Then the recombinant bacmid was transfected in ExpiSf9™ insect cells to generate recombinant baculovirus. After ExpiSf9™ infected with the recombinant baculovirus, the E, M, and S protein co-expressed in insect cells. Finally, SARS-CoV-2 VLPs were self-assembled in insect cells after infection. The morphology and the size of SARS-CoV-2 VLPs are similar to the native virions.