Coronavirus VSV

VSV is an enveloped, negative-stranded RNA virus with a simple structure that infects a wide range of mammalian cell types. The glycoprotein of VSV (VSV-G), is responsible for entry into the host cell.

VSV-G has been deleted (VSV Delta G or VSV ΔG) and replaced with a trimeric wild-type or variant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, generating pseudotypes that represent robust models to screen for neutralizing antibodies and other inhibitors of virus entry. Our VSV Delta G pseudoviruses transduce luciferase so that viral entry can be monitored using luminescence. Safe to use, they require only a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) facility.

SARS-CoV-2 Spike VSV Delta G represents a robust model to study the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 interaction with ACE2 (Angiotensin converting enzyme 2), to characterize neutralizing antibodies, and to screen or titrate drugs that prevent viral entry into human cells. It is the preferred pseudovirus to study SARS-CoV-2 infection of Vero-6 and Calu-3 cells.