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Sub-unit vaccines are synthetic or recombinant peptides representing T- or B-cell epitopes of major protein antigens from a particular pathogen. Epitope selection requires the synthesis of peptides that overlap the protein sequences and screening for the most effective ones. In this study a new method of immunogenic peptide selection based on the analysis of information structure of protein sequences is suggested. The analysis of known B-cell epitope location in the information structure of Aspergillus fumigatus proteins Asp f 2 and Asp f 3 has shown that epitopes are scattered along the sequences of proteins for the exception of sites with Increased Degree Information Coordination (IDIC). Based on these results peptides from different allergens such as Asp f 2, Der p 1, and Fel d 1 were selected and produced in a recombinant form in the context of yeast virus-like particles (VLPs). Immunization of mice with VLPs containing peptides form allergens has induced the production of IgG able to recognize full-length antigens. This result suggests that the analysis of information structure of proteins can be used for the selection of peptides possessing cryptic B-cell epitope activity.

The use of antigen delivery systems is essential for inducing antitumor immune responses. Among these, virus-like particles (VLPs) increase the immunogenicity of coupled antigens to stimulate cellular and humoral immune responses. In particular, non-enveloped or capsid VLPs (cVLPs) are a promising antigen delivery system option due to their additional advantages of high production yields and low cost. This review summarizes the latest works on cVLPs in cancer vaccines, supporting cVLPs as a tumor antigen delivery system for immunotherapy and addressing some critical aspects of cVLP use such as production, assembly, decoration and immunization strategies, which can improve the effectiveness of cancer vaccines based on cVLPs.