[1] With this method, the foreign viral envelope proteins can be used to alter host tropism or increase or decrease the stability of the virus particles.
A frequently used protein is the glycoprotein G (VSV-G) from the Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) which mediates entry via the LDL receptor.
Envelope proteins incorporated into the pseudovirus allow the virus to readily enter different cell types with the corresponding host receptor.
[3] This approach has been used to produce vaccine candidates against HIV,[3] Nipah henipavirus,[2] Rabies lyssavirus,[4] SARS-CoV,[5] Zaire ebolavirus, [6] and SARS-CoV-2.
When the blood drawn from the animal is mixed with the pseudovirus, the protective antibodies bind and neutralize the introduced envelope protein.