BioTech最新文献

{"title":"Integrating Constructed Wetlands, Microbial Fuel Cells, and Microalgal Photobioreactors for Sustainable Piggery Wastewater Treatment.","authors":"Diego de Oliveira Corrêa, Alice Ferreira, Belina Ribeiro, Karan Murthy, Anasuya Ganguly, Srikanth Mutnuri, Luisa Gouveia","doi":"10.3390/biotech15030046","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biotech15030046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pig farming generates high-strength piggery wastewater (PWW) with extreme organic and nutrient concentrations. This research evaluated an integrated treatment system combining Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands (VFCW), Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC), and Microalgae Photobioreactors (PBR) to enhance resource recovery, evaluate bio-electrochemical activity, and produce microalgal biomass. Findings showed that hydraulic saturation in the VFCW-MFC stage enhanced the open-circuit voltage response, reaching a maximum of 539 mV, indicative of bio-electrochemical activity. The optimized VFCW-MFC configuration, featuring pulsed feeding, achieved removals of total suspended solids (TSS, 83%) and chemical oxygen demand (COD, 69%). This integrated pretreatment mitigated ammonia toxicity and turbidity, enabling the subsequent cultivation of <i>Tetradesmus obliquus</i> microalga, reaching biomass yields of 1.1-1.3 g L^-1 while providing crucial tertiary polishing. Overall, the combined VFCW-MFC-PBR system achieved removal efficiencies exceeding 90% for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and approximately 80% for COD. This synergistic approach successfully transforms PWW liabilities into valuable assets, including nutrient-rich biomass and bio-electrochemical activity, underscoring the potential of VFCW-MFC-PBR for sustainable wastewater management.</p>","PeriodicalId":34490,"journal":{"name":"BioTech","volume":"15 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13398246/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148580429","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anti-Inflammatory Activity of a Phycocyanin-Protein Complex in THP-1 Cells: Implications for Dermocosmetic Applications.","authors":"Fidel Delgado, Mario Blanco-Vieites, María Álvarez-Gil, Víctor Casado-Bañares, Eduardo Rodríguez","doi":"10.3390/biotech15020045","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biotech15020045","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Phycocyanin, a phycobiliprotein derived from the cyanobacterium <i>Limnospira</i> (<i>Arthrospira</i>) <i>platensis</i> (commonly known as Spirulina), is recognized for its antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and bioactive properties. This research aims to develop a new cosmetic ingredient based on phycocyanin incorporated into a high-lipid matrix, such as shea butter. A comprehensive characterization of the cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of this new bioactive phycocyanin-protein complex in human THP-1 monocytic cells was performed. For this purpose, cytocompatibility was evaluated using MTT assays at concentrations ranging from 10 to 0.0006% <i>v</i>/<i>v</i>. Anti-inflammatory activity was measured under LPS-induced inflammatory stress by measuring IL-6 and IL-8 secretion using ELISA in PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells treated with non-cytotoxic concentrations (0.04, 0.02, and 0.01% <i>v</i>/<i>v</i>). A crucial finding was the absence of anti-inflammatory activity at 0.01% <i>v</i>/<i>v</i>, indicating a minimum effective concentration threshold and, consequently, effective doses. The results of this research indicate that the phycocyanin and shea butter ingredients demonstrate strong cytocompatibility at relevant cosmetic doses and significant anti-inflammatory activity, supporting their suitability for formulations targeting skin sensitivity, erythema reduction, and post-inflammatory recovery.</p>","PeriodicalId":34490,"journal":{"name":"BioTech","volume":"15 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13296759/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148319651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical Outcomes of Metronidazole Monotherapy Versus Metronidazole Plus <i>Clostridium butyricum</i> MIYAIRI 588 Combination Therapy in Non-Severe <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> Infection: A Retrospective Cohort Study.","authors":"Yota Yamada, Mana Nemoto, Motoyasu Miyazaki, Hitomi Hirata, Konatsu Hosogoe, Akio Nakashima, Hisako Kushima, Hiroshi Ishii, Osamu Imakyure","doi":"10.3390/biotech15020044","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biotech15020044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infection (CDI) remains a major healthcare-associated infection, and metronidazole (MNZ) is still used for selected patients with non-severe infection in Japan. Although <i>Clostridium butyricum</i> MIYAIRI 588 (CBM588) may be used as an adjunctive therapy, clinical evidence regarding its add-on value to MNZ in non-severe CDI remains limited. We conducted an exploratory single-center retrospective cohort study of adults with non-severe CDI treated with MNZ between April 2015 and March 2025. Of the 161 patients diagnosed with <i>C. difficile</i> infection, 53 patients met the eligibility criteria and were analyzed. Patients were categorized into MNZ monotherapy (<i>n</i> = 27) or MNZ plus CBM588 combination therapy groups (<i>n</i> = 26), and clinical outcomes were compared. Clinical cure was achieved in 51.9% of patients in the monotherapy group and 69.2% of patients in the combination therapy group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (<i>p</i> = 0.196). Recurrence was uncommon in both groups (3.7% vs. 0%), and exploratory multivariable analysis revealed that CBM588 use was not independently associated with clinical cure. These findings do not establish a definitive benefit of adjunctive CBM588 therapy and should be interpreted cautiously as hypothesis-generating given the limited sample size and non-significant result.</p>","PeriodicalId":34490,"journal":{"name":"BioTech","volume":"15 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13297408/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148319662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Gut Microbiome Dependency Continuum in Drug Discovery: A Unified Pharmacology Framework Linking Clinical Drugs, Natural Products, and Engineered Microbial Therapeutics.","authors":"Solomon Habtemariam","doi":"10.3390/biotech15020043","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biotech15020043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Highlighting its pivotal role in modern pharmacology, the gut microbiome is emerging as a key determinant of drug efficacy, toxicity, and bioavailability. This review proposes the Gut Microbiome Dependency Continuum, a four-layer framework describing progressively deeper levels of microbiome involvement in drug discovery and therapeutic function. The first layer, intact functional microbiome-dependent therapeutics and includes interventions such as faecal microbiota transplantation and defined microbial consortia. The second layer, microbiome-modulated approved drugs include widely used therapeutics whose pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics are strongly influenced by microbial metabolism. Examples include metformin, irinotecan, levodopa, and digoxin, where gut microbial interactions influence efficacy, toxicity, and inter-individual variability in treatment outcomes. The third layer, microbiota-transformable natural products, encompasses dietary and plant-derived compounds such as polyphenols, ginsenosides, alkaloids, fibres, isoflavones, lignans, and glucosinolates. Their biological activity depends on microbial biotransformation into bioactive metabolites. The fourth layer, engineered microbiome therapeutics, includes synthetic biology approaches such as programmable microbial systems, engineered probiotics, CRISPR-based microbiome editing, and microbiome-responsive drug delivery systems. It also includes synthetic microbial consortia, enabling targeted sensing, therapeutic delivery, and ecological reprogramming of gut microbial communities. Altogether, these layers define a continuum in which the gut microbiome evolves from a passive modulator to an essential metabolic organ and ultimately a programmable therapeutic platform. The article provides an integrated framework for microbiome-informed drug discovery. It also supports the development of precision, ecology-aware, and engineered microbial therapeutics.</p>","PeriodicalId":34490,"journal":{"name":"BioTech","volume":"15 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13296983/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148319503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bioinformatics Strategy for 16s and 23s rRNA Metabarcoding Data.","authors":"Rita Domingues, José C M Pires","doi":"10.3390/biotech15020042","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biotech15020042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding biological communities is essential for elucidating ecosystem structure and function. Metabarcoding based on ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, particularly 16S and 23S, is widely used to characterise bacterial and microalgal communities. However, analysing high-throughput sequencing data generated by platforms such as the Illumina MiSeq remains challenging due to fragmented bioinformatics tools, complex parameterisation, and limited accessibility for non-specialist users. In this study, a comprehensive and user-friendly bioinformatics pipeline is proposed for the analysis of 16S and 23S paired-end metabarcoding data. The workflow integrates all critical processing steps, including read merging, primer and adapter trimming, quality filtering, dereplication, chimaera removal, and clustering into Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs). Taxonomic assignment is performed using curated reference databases, namely EZBioCloud for bacterial communities and µgreen for microalgae. The pipeline was developed in Python 3.11 and incorporates validated tools such as VSEARCH and Cutadapt, ensuring robustness and computational efficiency. Additionally, modules for alpha and beta diversity analysis are included to support comprehensive ecological interpretation. The main novelty of this work lies in providing a unified, GUI-based framework that enables the standardised processing of dual-marker (16S/23S) metabarcoding data within a single environment. In its current implementation, SOMBA supports the analysis of each marker through separate but harmonised workflows, ensuring consistency in parameterisation, processing steps, and output structure. This approach provides an accessible and standardised solution that bridges the gap between raw sequencing data and reliable biological insights, supporting applications in environmental microbiology and biotechnology.</p>","PeriodicalId":34490,"journal":{"name":"BioTech","volume":"15 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13296876/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148319635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing Light Intensity for the Co-Production of Fucoxanthin and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in <i>Isochrysis galbana</i>.","authors":"David Kwame Amenorfenyo, Wenquan Zheng, Zhe Cao, Junhao Huang, Zitong Deng, Jiacheng Ruan, Feng Li, Hua Xiao","doi":"10.3390/biotech15020041","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biotech15020041","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study assessed the effects of different intensities of broad-spectrum white LED light (PAR range: 415-748 nm) on growth, fucoxanthin accumulation, and fatty acid composition of <i>Isochrysis galbana</i>. This study classified light intensity into three categories based on the white LED light source: high (HL, 150 μmol·m^-2·s^-1), medium (ML, 80 μmol·m^-2·s^-1), and low (LL, 30 μmol·m^-2·s^-1). The results showed that biomass concentration was optimized under high light intensity (HL, 150 μmol·m^-2·s^-1), whereas low light (LL, 30 μmol·m^-2·s^-1) yielded the highest fucoxanthin concentration (71.15 mg/L on day 12) and the only positive volumetric fucoxanthin productivity (3.14 mg/L/d) among the three treatments tested. The results further showed that low light (LL, 30 μmol·m^-2·s^-1) produced maximum cell density (10.08 × 10⁶ cells/mL) and the most polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which constituted 1.93% and 22.47% of total fatty acids, respectively. This study demonstrates that low-intensity (LL, 30 μmol·m^-2·s^-1) white LED light supports the maximum co-production of valuable metabolites in <i>I. galbana</i>, establishing a scientific basis for scaling up <i>I. galbana</i> cultivation for nutraceutical and aquafeed applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":34490,"journal":{"name":"BioTech","volume":"15 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13297570/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148319187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Regioselective Oxidation of D-Galacturonic Acid to Provide Crystallized Mucic Acid Using Engineered <i>Gluconobacter oxydans</i>.","authors":"Emmeran Bieringer, Lisa Pütthoff, Arne Zimmermann, Ekaterina Burkhanova, David Mijačević, Armin Ehrenreich, Wolfgang Liebl, Dirk Weuster-Botz","doi":"10.3390/biotech15020040","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biotech15020040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mucic acid (MA) is used as a chelating agent or as a building block for bio-based polymers. MA can be produced by regioselective oxidation of D-galacturonic acid (GA). <i>Gluconobacter oxydans</i> is known for the partial oxidation of various substrates via membrane-bound dehydrogenases. As the wild-type strain shows only low oxidation activity towards GA, the engineered multideletion strain <i>G. oxydans</i> BP9.1 pta-mGDH, overexpressing a membrane-bound glucose dehydrogenase from <i>Pseudomonas taetrolens</i>, was used in buffered whole-cell batch biotransformations with GA as the sole substrate. Initial cell-specific MA formation rates elevated with rising educt concentrations up to 63 g L^-1. At pH 4, full GA conversion was only achieved with an initial GA concentration of 10 g L^-1. Complete conversion of 94 g L^-1 of GA was achieved at pH 5 with 3.4 g L^-1 of <i>G. oxydans</i> BP9.1 pta-mGDH within 48 h, resulting in >100 g L^-1 of MA, corresponding to a yield of >99% (mol/mol). Isolation of MA (purity > 90%) was achieved after cell separation, followed by cooling crystallization and drying, with a yield of 94%. Complete, full-yield GA conversion using non-growing cells of engineered <i>G. oxydans</i> in simple phosphate buffer yielded high product concentrations and enabled simple, high-yield product isolation, thus resulting in cost-effective and sustainable bioproduction of MA.</p>","PeriodicalId":34490,"journal":{"name":"BioTech","volume":"15 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13297029/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148319487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rabbit Immune Cell Function: In Vitro Assays for Immunological Assessment Studies Using Flow Cytometry.","authors":"Tamiris C Sardinha, Philipe P L Pereira, Tamires A R Gomes, Bruna de A C F Mendes, Stefani M Ferreira, Leonila E R Raspantini, Cristina de O Massoco, André T Gotardo","doi":"10.3390/biotech15020039","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biotech15020039","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Repeated blood collection in long-term studies in rodents is challenging and may compromise animal welfare. Rabbits represent a robust alternative model for longitudinal studies due to their larger blood volume and ease of repeated sampling. However, standardized assays to assess rabbit immune function remain scarce. This study presents standardized and optimized flow cytometry-based protocols for evaluating oxidative burst, phagocytosis, and lymphocyte proliferation in rabbits. Oxidative burst and phagocytic activity were analyzed in heparinized whole blood using DCFH and fluorescently labeled <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. Lymphocyte proliferation was assessed in CFSE-labeled PBMC stimulated with ConA. Flow cytometric analysis enabled simultaneous quantification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, phagocytic uptake, and CFSE dilution modeling. Following stimulation with <i>S. aureus</i>, rabbit heterophils exhibited ROS production in a median of 90.4% (IQR: 84.8-92.9%) of gated cells, with a median phagocytic uptake of 23.6% (IQR: 13.4-27.2%). PMA-stimulated cells showed near-complete oxidative burst (median 99.1%, IQR: 98.7-99.5%), confirming their functional similarity to mammalian neutrophils. Lymphocytes exhibited measurable proliferative responses to ConA, validating PBMC-based assays for adaptive immune assessment. These standardized methods offer a framework for investigating innate and adaptive immune functions in rabbits, contributing to immunotoxicological and safety evaluation studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":34490,"journal":{"name":"BioTech","volume":"15 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13297272/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148319532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainable Curcumin-Loaded Poly(Glyceryl Adipate) Nanoparticles Attenuate Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis: A Comprehensive Study from Synthesis to Gene Expression Analysis.","authors":"Rania H H Ahmed, Mahmoud E Soliman, Sherif F Hammad, Hesham S M Soliman, Ahmed Abdel-Mawgood","doi":"10.3390/biotech15020037","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biotech15020037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Curcumin can behave potently as an anti-inflammatory agent, but unfortunately, it suffers from a detrimental aqueous solubility and a limited bioavailability, which hinders its usage in clinical applications. Formulating a polymeric nanosized biocompatible system can increase the delivered curcumin fraction intra-articularly for inflammatory diseases. Poly(glyceryl adipate) nanoparticles were synthesized using a polycondensation process yielding six different polymers, which was followed by a preparation of different curcumin-loaded formulations using the nanoprecipitation method. The selected formulation exhibited a particle size of 115.8 ± 10.9 nm, a mean PDI of 0.191 ± 0.038, a zeta potential of -22.9 ± 1.5 mV, and an EE of about 95%. This formulation was subjected to physicochemical characterization, including TEM, FTIR, DSC, and an in vitro release study. The stability was assessed in the presence of sodium sulfate at different concentrations, and the long-term stability was assessed through three months of storage. The cytocompatibility was evaluated by an MTT assay on normal and cancerous cell lines, revealing no significant cytotoxicity, and RT-qPCR was done in order to point out the anti-inflammation effect of the produced nanoparticles. Finally, a molecular docking study was held against Bruton's tyrosine kinase. The formulation's findings demonstrate the potential of nanoparticles, providing a basis for further in vivo studies targeting arthritis therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":34490,"journal":{"name":"BioTech","volume":"15 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13297080/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148319500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Engineering Viral Surface Antigens to Improve Display on Virus-like Particle (VLP) Vaccine Prototypes.","authors":"Mona Pißarreck, Kristina Katsoutas, Jörn Stitz","doi":"10.3390/biotech15020038","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biotech15020038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives</b>: Membrane-enveloped virus-like particles (VLPs) constitute a versatile vaccine platform allowing for the display of heterologous viral surface antigens. The density of displayed antigens is paramount for the efficient elicitation of a strong cellular and humoral immune response. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variants with engineered cytoplasmic tails (CTs) were generated to enhance decoration efficiency on the surface of VLPs formed by the HIV core protein Gag. These HIV (SARS-CoV-2) chimeric particles serve as a vaccine component prototype. <b>Methods</b>: Spike variants were first analyzed for cellular and surface expression as well as incorporation into extracellular vesicles (EVs) and VLPs using flow cytometric analysis and Western blot analysis. Receptor binding, fusogenicity, i.e., mediating the fusion of spike-positive with receptor-containing membranes, and the proteins' potential to mediate lentiviral vector gene transduction into susceptible target cells was examined by employing syncytia-formation assays and vector titration experiments. The display of a neutralization-sensitive epitope was examined utilizing immuno-precipitation using a neutralizing antibody. <b>Results</b>: All four variants were shown to be cell-surface expressed, to recruit the cognate receptor, to mediate membrane fusion and cell entry of lentiviral pseudotype vector particles and to decorate VLPs and EVs. However, the spike variant encompassing a truncated CT derived from the gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV) transmembrane (TM) envelope protein was most efficiently incorporated into HIV Gag-formed VLPs. All variants exposed a neutralization-sensitive epitope in the receptor binding domain. <b>Conclusions</b>: Engineering of the CTs of viral surface antigens can enhance VLP decoration, while required functionality of the ecto-domain such as receptor recognition, fusogenicity and neutralization-sensitive epitope presentation are not abrogated. This indicates the preservation of the structural integrity of the antigen required to elicit a neutralizing humoral immunity upon vaccination. The identified truncated CT of GaLV TM may be of utility to improve the incorporation of other viral surface antigens into a variety of membrane-enveloped VLPs derived from a range of different parental viruses.</p>","PeriodicalId":34490,"journal":{"name":"BioTech","volume":"15 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13296550/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148319197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}