Virus-Based Nanoparticles as Versatile Nanomachines

Abstract

Nanoscale engineering is revolutionizing the way we prevent, detect, and treat diseases. Viruses have played a special role in these developments because they can function as prefabricated nanoscaffolds that have unique properties and are easily modified. The interiors of virus particles can encapsulate and protect sensitive compounds, while the exteriors can be altered to display large and small molecules in precisely defined arrays. These properties of viruses, along with their innate biocompatibility, have led to their development as actively targeted drug delivery systems that expand on and improve current pharmaceutical options. Viruses are naturally immunogenic, and antigens displayed on their surface have been used to create vaccines against pathogens and to break self-tolerance to initiate an immune response to dysfunctional proteins. Densely and specifically aligned imaging agents on viruses have allowed for high-resolution and noninvasive visualization tools to detect and treat diseases earlier than previously possible. These and future applications of viruses have created an exciting new field within the disciplines of both nanotechnology and medicine.

Equine Rhinitis A Virus Mutants with Altered Acid Resistance Unveil a Key Role of VP3 and Intrasubunit Interactions in the Control of the pH Stability of the Aphthovirus Capsid

“…In this way, viral capsids constitute dynamic nanomachines that can undergo dramatic rearrangements during the different steps of the virus life cycle to achieve these functions (32,33). For instance, genomic RNA must be able to leave the capsid to initiate a new round of infection, making uncoating a crucial step of the virus life cycle that provides an interesting target for antiviral design (34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39).…”

The True Story and Advantages of RNA Phage Capsids as Nanotools

“…Attention is currently focused on the use of virus-based nanoparticles as potential scaffolds for novel biomaterials and as subjects for nanoscale engineering applications involving exposure to various chemical compounds [253,254,255,256]. …”

“…Perspectives on the revolutionary nanoscale engineering of RNA phage VLPs as natural prefabricated scaffolds to contain molecules in precisely defined arrays were described in a recent review [253]. The future of VLP-derived materials [for chemical strategies and details of VLP bioconjugation technologies, see [283]] is quite impressive because the number of methods that can be used to change both the interior and exterior surfaces of capsids by the incorporation of organic and inorganic compounds is unlimited.…”

Protein nanoparticles as multifunctional biocatalysts and health assessment sensors

“…Similar to other protein-based materials, VLPs can be modified with a wide range of cargos such as drugs, enzymes, or other biomolecules using either genetic manipulation, post-translational conjugation, and/or encapsulation [5,12]. Traditionally, modified VLPs have been widely used for vaccine design and drug delivery because of their biocompatibility and stability [7]. However, efforts toward the use of engineered VLPs as nanoscale bioreactors are gaining traction due to their ability to tolerate harsh conditions [13–14].…”

“…Although most PNPs used today are based on biologically evolved protein assemblies such as viral capsids [5,7] or multimeric enzymes [6,8], there is a move toward engineering these protein nano-assemblies based on in silico design [9,10]. The ability to provide multi-functionalization is often highly challenging as the modifications may result in a loss of nanoparticle self-assembly or protein functionality.…”