Virus-like Particles: Fundamentals and Biomedical Applications

Lee

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

et al. 2023

Virus-like nanoparticles (VLPs) are natural polymer-based nanomaterials that mimic viral structures through the hierarchical assembly of viral coat proteins, while lacking viral genomes. VLPs have received enormous attention in a wide range of nanotechnology-based medical diagnostics and therapies, including cancer therapy, imaging, and theranostics. VLPs are biocompatible and biodegradable and have a uniform structure and controllable assembly. They can encapsulate a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic agents, and can be genetically or chemically modified. These properties have led to sophisticated multifunctional theranostic platforms. This article reviews the current progress in developing and applying engineered VLPs for molecular imaging, drug delivery, and multifunctional theranostics in cancer research.

Section: Virus-like Particlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virus-like nanoparticles as a theranostic platform for cancer

Lee

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

et al. 2023

“…Almost all VLP production suffers from the common issue of VLP aggregation when stored at a low-salt concentration and at 2–8 °C [ 213 , 214 , 215 , 216 , 217 ]. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM), and Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM) can detect the aggregation of VLPs, approaches commonly used for VLP characterization (reviewed by [ 28 ]). In addition, turbidity during elution or storage can also inform about possible VLP aggregation.…”

Section: Aggregation Of Vlps a Matter Of Concernmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is essential to mention that VLPs can be formed using the capsid, envelope, or core viral proteins [ 27 ]. These particles are usually formed naturally by folding viral proteins under appropriate conditions, including the optimum pH, salt concentration, temperature, and so on [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. The VLPs form when monomeric proteins fold into a pentameric form, also called capsomers, which are then assembled to form VLPs [ 30 ].…”

Section: Introduction To Virus-like Particlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yeast-Based Virus-like Particles as an Emerging Platform for Vaccine Development and Delivery

et al. 2023

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are empty, nanoscale structures morphologically resembling viruses. Internal cavity, noninfectious, and particulate nature with a high density of repeating epitopes, make them an ideal platform for vaccine development and drug delivery. Commercial use of Gardasil-9 and Cervarix showed the usefulness of VLPs in vaccine formulation. Further, chimeric VLPs allow the raising of an immune response against different immunogens and thereby can help reduce the generation of medical or clinical waste. The economically viable production of VLPs significantly impacts their usage, application, and availability. To this end, several hosts have been used and tested. The present review will discuss VLPs produced using different yeasts as fermentation hosts. We also compile a list of studies highlighting the expression and purification of VLPs using a yeast-based platform. We also discuss the advantages of using yeast to generate VLPs over other available systems. Further, the issues or limitations of yeasts for producing VLPs are also summarized. The review also compiles a list of yeast-derived VLP-based vaccines that are presently in public use or in different phases of clinical trials.

“…Virus-like particles (VLP) are 20–500 nm non-infectious nanostructures with a capsid-like morphology built from viral structural proteins. This type of nanoparticle structure was first identified in 1968 in the sera of patients with Down’s syndrome, leukemia, and hepatitis [ 170 , 171 , 172 ].…”

Section: Protein-based Targeting Self-assembling Nanoparticles For Bi...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are different approaches to the classification of VLPs, depending on the presence of lipid envelopes (enveloped and non-enveloped) and on the form (helical, icosahedral, spherical, and complex) and the number of capsid layers (1, 2, and more). Small size, wide possibilities of surface modification, high biocompatibility, various ways of VLP production, the possibility of incorporating various chemicals inside—all these factors open up wide possibilities for the application of the virus-like particles, including the creation of vaccines, delivery of drugs, genes, proteins, and other chemicals [ 171 , 172 , 173 , 174 ].…”

Section: Protein-based Targeting Self-assembling Nanoparticles For Bi...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetically Encoded Self-Assembling Protein Nanoparticles for the Targeted Delivery In Vitro and In Vivo

et al. 2023

Targeted nanoparticles of different origins are considered as new-generation diagnostic and therapeutic tools. However, there are no targeted drug formulations within the composition of nanoparticles approved by the FDA for use in the clinic, which is associated with the insufficient effectiveness of the developed candidates, the difficulties of their biotechnological production, and inadequate batch-to-batch reproducibility. Targeted protein self-assembling nanoparticles circumvent this problem since proteins are encoded in DNA and the final protein product is produced in only one possible way. We believe that the combination of the endless biomedical potential of protein carriers as nanoparticles and the standardized protein purification protocols will make significant progress in “magic bullet” creation possible, bringing modern biomedicine to a new level. In this review, we are focused on the currently existing platforms for targeted self-assembling protein nanoparticles based on transferrin, lactoferrin, casein, lumazine synthase, albumin, ferritin, and encapsulin proteins, as well as on proteins from magnetosomes and virus-like particles. The applications of these self-assembling proteins for targeted delivery in vitro and in vivo are thoroughly discussed, including bioimaging applications and different therapeutic approaches, such as chemotherapy, gene delivery, and photodynamic and photothermal therapy. A critical assessment of these protein platforms’ efficacy in biomedicine is provided and possible problems associated with their further development are described.