The present invention relates to a composition comprising (a) a recombinant rhabdovirus vector capable of forming a virus particle and expressing an immunogen of a betacoronavirus, wherein the immunogen comprises at the C-terminus a heterologous transmembrane anchor for the incorporation of the immunogen into (i) the cell membrane of infected cells, and (ii) the envelope of the virus particle, and/or (b) a glycoprotein (G) protein gene deleted and in trans G protein complemented recombinant rhabdovirus vector capable of forming a virus-like particle (VLP) and expressing an immunogen of a betacoronavirus, wherein the immunogen comprises at the C-terminus a heterologous transmembrane anchor for the incorporation of the immunogen into (i) the cell membrane of infected cells, and (ii) the VLP.

A method of producing a virus like particle (VLP) in a plant, and compositions comprising VLPs, are provided. The method involves introducing a nucleic acid comprising a regulatory region active in the plant and operatively linked to a chimeric nucleotide sequence encoding, in series, an ectodomain from a virus trimeric surface protein or fragment thereof, fused to an influenza transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail, into the plant, or portion of the plant, the ectodomain is from a non-influenza virus trimeric surface protein and heterologous with respect to the influenza transmembrane domain, and the cytoplasmic tail. The plant or portion of the plant are incubated under conditions that permit the expression of the nucleic acid, thereby producing the VLP. A VLP produced by this method are also provided.

A method of producing a virus like particle (VLP) in a plant, and compositions comprising VLPs, are provided. The method involves introducing a nucleic acid comprising a regulatory region active in the plant and operatively linked to a chimeric nucleotide sequence encoding, in series, an ectodomain from a virus trimeric surface protein or fragment thereof, fused to an influenza transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail, into the plant, or portion of the plant, the ectodomain is from a non-influenza virus trimeric surface protein and heterologous with respect to the influenza transmembrane domain, and the cytoplasmic tail. The plant or portion of the plant are incubated under conditions that permit the expression of the nucleic acid, thereby producing the VLP. A VLP produced by this method are also provided.

Provided are polypeptide comprising a rabies G protein ectodomain. The rabies G protein ectodomain may have a deletion of the fusion loop domain. Further provided are nanoparticle vaccines for rabies virus. Further provided are pharmaceutical compositions, methods of manufacturing, and methods of use, e.g., immunizing a subject to generate a protective immune response to rabies virus.