A cVLP-Based Vaccine Displaying Full-Length PCSK9 Elicits a Higher Reduction in Plasma PCSK9 Than Similar Peptide-Based cVLP Vaccines

Administration of PCSK9-specific monoclonal antibodies, as well as peptide-based PCSK9 vaccines, can lower plasma LDL cholesterol by blocking PCSK9. However, these treatments also cause an increase in plasma PCSK9 levels, presumably due to the formation of immune complexes. Here, we utilize a versatile capsid virus-like particle (cVLP)-based vaccine platform to deliver both full-length (FL) PCSK9 and PCSK9-derived peptide antigens, to investigate whether induction of a broader polyclonal anti-PCSK9 antibody response would mediate more efficient clearance of plasma PCSK9. This head-to-head immunization study reveals a significantly increased capacity of the FL PCSK9 cVLP vaccine to opsonize and clear plasma PCSK9. These findings may have implications for the design of PCSK9 and other vaccines that should effectively mediate opsonization and immune clearance of target antigens.

Automated summary

Administration of PCSK9-specific monoclonal antibodies and peptide-based PCSK9 vaccines can reduce plasma LDL cholesterol by blocking PCSK9. However, these treatments also increase plasma PCSK9 levels due to the formation of immune complexes. A study using a cVLP-based vaccine platform shows that the FL PCSK9 cVLP vaccine has an enhanced ability to opsonize and clear plasma PCSK9. These findings have implications for the design of vaccines that can effectively mediate opsonization and immune clearance of target antigens.