ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Immunol.
Sec. Vaccines and Molecular Therapeutics
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1674222
This article is part of the Research TopicInnovative Adjuvant Strategies: Enhancing Vaccine Efficacy Through Transdisciplinary ApproachesView all 8 articles
A Nanodiamond-Formulated Plant Protein Induces Robust Immunity Against Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus in Piglets
Provisionally accepted
Thuong Thi Ho1*
Hoai Thu Tran1Phuong Minh Thi Nguyen1Huyen Thi Bui1Hien Thu Thi Nguyen1Thao Bich1Minh Dinh Pham1Wesley Wei-Wen Hsiao2Dai Huu Nguyen3Ha Hoang Chu4,5Ngoc Bich Pham1,5*Hang Thu1,5*- 1Institute of Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, HaNoi, Vietnam
- 2National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei City, Taiwan
- 3CNC Veterinary Medicine Trading and Production Joint Stock Company, HaNoi, Vietnam
- 4Istitute of Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, HaNoi, Vietnam
- 5Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Ha Noi, Vietnam, HaNoi, Vietnam
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Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) continues to be a major infectious threat in swine, especially endangering piglets. The COE and S1D domains have been identified as crucial antigens suitable for designing subunit vaccines. Nanodiamonds (NDs), owing to their biocompatibility, large surface area, and modifiable surfaces, have gained interest as novel carriers to improve recombinant protein vaccines. In this study, we transiently expressed a COE-S1D fusion protein containing the GCN4pII motif (COE-S1D-pII) in Nicotiana benthamiana. The recombinant protein was subsequently mixed with nanodiamonds at various mass ratios to form COE-S1D:ND complexes. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses identified the optimal ratio as 1:24 (w/w). Additional size, zeta and morphology characterization of these complexes was carried out. We then assessed the immune response of the COE-S1D:ND complex (1:24, w/w) in pregnant sows and their piglets, comparing it to the response induced by the free COE-S1D-pII protein. After administering a booster dose, the COE-S1D:ND mixture significantly enhanced PEDV-specific IgG and COE-S1D-specific IgA levels, as well as neutralizing antibody titers, as measured by ELISA and virus neutralization assays in their piglets. Overall, the results highlight that ND nanoparticles can strengthen both systemic and mucosal immunity, supporting the potential of using plant-produced COE-S1D-pII protein in combination with nanodiamonds as a next-generation subunit vaccine candidate against PEDV.
Keywords: nanodiamond, COE-S1D-pII protein, PEDV, immune response, Vaccine, piglets
Received: 27 Jul 2025; Accepted: 02 Sep 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Ho, Tran, Nguyen, Bui, Nguyen, Bich, Pham, Hsiao, Nguyen, Chu, Pham and Thu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Thuong Thi Ho, Institute of Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, HaNoi, Vietnam
Ngoc Bich Pham, Institute of Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, HaNoi, Vietnam
Hang Thu, Institute of Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, HaNoi, Vietnam
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