1
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Kwon S, Andreas MP, Giessen TW. Pore Engineering as a General Strategy to Improve Protein-Based Enzyme Nanoreactor Performance. ACS NANO 2024; 18:25740-25753. [PMID: 39226211 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c08186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Enzyme nanoreactors are nanoscale compartments consisting of encapsulated enzymes and a selectively permeable barrier. Sequestration and colocalization of enzymes can increase catalytic activity, stability, and longevity, highly desirable features for many biotechnological and biomedical applications of enzyme catalysts. One promising strategy to construct enzyme nanoreactors is to repurpose protein nanocages found in nature. However, protein-based enzyme nanoreactors often exhibit decreased catalytic activity, partially caused by a mismatch of protein shell selectivity and the substrate requirements of encapsulated enzymes. No broadly applicable and modular protein-based nanoreactor platform is currently available. Here, we introduce a pore-engineered universal enzyme nanoreactor platform based on encapsulins-microbial self-assembling protein nanocompartments with programmable and selective enzyme packaging capabilities. We structurally characterize our protein shell designs via cryo-electron microscopy and highlight their polymorphic nature. Through fluorescence polarization assays, we show their improved molecular flux behavior and highlight their expanded substrate range via a number of proof-of-concept enzyme nanoreactor designs. This work lays the foundation for utilizing our encapsulin-based nanoreactor platform for diverse future biotechnological and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokmu Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Michael P Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Tobias W Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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2
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Sun X, Lian Y, Tian T, Cui Z. Advancements in Functional Nanomaterials Inspired by Viral Particles. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2402980. [PMID: 39058214 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202402980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are nanostructures composed of one or more structural proteins, exhibiting stable and symmetrical structures. Their precise compositions and dimensions provide versatile opportunities for modifications, enhancing their functionality. Consequently, VLP-based nanomaterials have gained widespread adoption across diverse domains. This review focuses on three key aspects: the mechanisms of viral capsid protein self-assembly into VLPs, design methods for constructing multifunctional VLPs, and strategies for synthesizing multidimensional nanomaterials using VLPs. It provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in virus-inspired functional nanomaterials, encompassing VLP assembly, functionalization, and the synthesis of multidimensional nanomaterials. Additionally, this review explores future directions, opportunities, and challenges in the field of VLP-based nanomaterials, aiming to shed light on potential advancements and prospects in this exciting area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianxun Sun
- College of Life Science, Jiang Han University, Wuhan, 430056, China
| | - Yindong Lian
- College of Life Science, Jiang Han University, Wuhan, 430056, China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Tao Tian
- College of Life Science, Jiang Han University, Wuhan, 430056, China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zongqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
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3
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Kwon S, Andreas MP, Giessen TW. Pore engineering as a general strategy to improve protein-based enzyme nanoreactor performance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.02.592161. [PMID: 38746127 PMCID: PMC11092584 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.02.592161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Enzyme nanoreactors are nanoscale compartments consisting of encapsulated enzymes and a selectively permeable barrier. Sequestration and co-localization of enzymes can increase catalytic activity, stability, and longevity, highly desirable features for many biotechnological and biomedical applications of enzyme catalysts. One promising strategy to construct enzyme nanoreactors is to repurpose protein nanocages found in nature. However, protein-based enzyme nanoreactors often exhibit decreased catalytic activity, partially caused by a mismatch of protein shell selectivity and the substrate requirements of encapsulated enzymes. No broadly applicable and modular protein-based nanoreactor platform is currently available. Here, we introduce a pore-engineered universal enzyme nanoreactor platform based on encapsulins - microbial self-assembling protein nanocompartments with programmable and selective enzyme packaging capabilities. We structurally characterize our protein shell designs via cryo-electron microscopy and highlight their polymorphic nature. Through fluorescence polarization assays, we show their improved molecular flux behavior and highlight their expanded substrate range via a number of proof-of-concept enzyme nanoreactor designs. This work lays the foundation for utilizing our encapsulin-based nanoreactor platform for future biotechnological and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokmu Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Michael P. Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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4
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Lumata JL, Hagge LM, Gaspar MA, Trashi I, Ehrman RN, Koirala S, Chiev AC, Wijesundara YH, Darwin CB, Pena S, Wen X, Wansapura J, Nielsen SO, Kovacs Z, Lumata LL, Gassensmith JJ. TEMPO-conjugated tobacco mosaic virus as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent for detection of superoxide production in the inflamed liver. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:3273-3281. [PMID: 38469725 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02765a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Superoxide, an anionic dioxygen molecule, plays a crucial role in redox regulation within the body but is implicated in various pathological conditions when produced excessively. Efforts to develop superoxide detection strategies have led to the exploration of organic-based contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study compares the effectiveness of two such agents, nTMV-TEMPO and kTMV-TEMPO, for detecting superoxide in a mouse liver model with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. The study demonstrates that kTMV-TEMPO, with a strategically positioned lysine residue for TEMPO attachment, outperforms nTMV-TEMPO as an MRI contrast agent. The enhanced sensitivity of kTMV-TEMPO is attributed to its more exposed TEMPO attachment site, facilitating stronger interactions with water protons and superoxide radicals. EPR kinetics experiments confirm kTMV-TEMPO's faster oxidation and reduction rates, making it a promising sensor for superoxide in inflamed liver tissue. In vivo experiments using healthy and LPS-induced inflamed mice reveal that reduced kTMV-TEMPO remains MRI-inactive in healthy mice but becomes MRI-active in inflamed livers. The contrast enhancement in inflamed livers is substantial, validating the potential of kTMV-TEMPO for detecting superoxide in vivo. This research underscores the importance of optimizing contrast agents for in vivo imaging applications. The enhanced sensitivity and biocompatibility of kTMV-TEMPO make it a promising candidate for further studies in the realm of medical imaging, particularly in the context of monitoring oxidative stress-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenica L Lumata
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA.
| | - Laurel M Hagge
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA.
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
| | - Miguel A Gaspar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA.
| | - Ikeda Trashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA.
| | - Ryanne N Ehrman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA.
| | - Shailendra Koirala
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA.
| | - Alyssa C Chiev
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA.
| | - Yalini H Wijesundara
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA.
| | - Cary B Darwin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA.
| | - Salvador Pena
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wen
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
| | - Janaka Wansapura
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
| | - Steven O Nielsen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA.
| | - Zoltan Kovacs
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
| | - Lloyd L Lumata
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
- Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA
| | - Jeremiah J Gassensmith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA.
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA
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5
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Tumban E. Bacteriophage Virus-Like Particles: Platforms for Vaccine Design. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2738:411-423. [PMID: 37966612 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3549-0_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from bacteriophages have many applications in biomedical sciences, especially in the development of candidate vaccines against viral and bacterial infections. Bacteriophage VLPs can be manufactured cheaply and in large quantities in bacteria compared to eukaryotic expression systems. In addition to this, bacteriophage VLPs are excellent platforms for vaccine design for the following reason: Humans do not have preexisting antibodies against bacteriophage VLPs. Thus, antigens displayed on bacteriophage VLP platforms are expected to be highly immunogenic. As such, VLPs derived from MS2, PP7, Qβ, AP205, P22 bacteriophages, etc. have been used to develop candidate vaccines against human infectious and noninfectious agents. This mini-review summarizes data from some of the candidate bacteriophage-based VLP peptide vaccines that have been developed. The review also highlights some strategies used to develop the candidate bacteriophage-based VLP peptide vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebenezer Tumban
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX, USA.
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6
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Chen YL, Bao CJ, Duan JL, Xie Y, Lu WL. Overcoming biological barriers by virus-like drug particles for drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 203:115134. [PMID: 37926218 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) have natural structural antigens similar to those found in viruses, making them valuable in vaccine immunization. Furthermore, VLPs have demonstrated significant potential in drug delivery, and emerged as promising vectors for transporting chemical drug, genetic drug, peptide/protein, and even nanoparticle drug. With virus-like permeability and strong retention, they can effectively target specific organs, tissues or cells, facilitating efficient intracellular drug release. Further modifications allow VLPs to transfer across various physiological barriers, thus acting the purpose of efficient drug delivery and accurate therapy. This article provides an overview of VLPs, covering their structural classifications, deliverable drugs, potential physiological barriers in drug delivery, strategies for overcoming these barriers, and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Systems, and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Chun-Jie Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Systems, and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jia-Lun Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Systems, and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ying Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Systems, and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Wan-Liang Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Systems, and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
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7
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Kaltbeitzel J, Wich PR. Protein-based Nanoparticles: From Drug Delivery to Imaging, Nanocatalysis and Protein Therapy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202216097. [PMID: 36917017 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202216097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Proteins and enzymes are versatile biomaterials for a wide range of medical applications due to their high specificity for receptors and substrates, high degradability, low toxicity, and overall good biocompatibility. Protein nanoparticles are formed by the arrangement of several native or modified proteins into nanometer-sized assemblies. In this review, we will focus on artificial nanoparticle systems, where proteins are the main structural element and not just an encapsulated payload. While under natural conditions, only certain proteins form defined aggregates and nanoparticles, chemical modifications or a change in the physical environment can further extend the pool of available building blocks. This allows the assembly of many globular proteins and even enzymes. These advances in preparation methods led to the emergence of new generations of nanosystems that extend beyond transport vehicles to diverse applications, from multifunctional drug delivery to imaging, nanocatalysis and protein therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Kaltbeitzel
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Peter R Wich
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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8
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Maiti A, Buffalo CZ, Saurabh S, Montecinos-Franjola F, Hachey JS, Conlon WJ, Tran GN, Hassan B, Walters KJ, Drobizhev M, Moerner WE, Ghosh P, Matsuo H, Tsien RY, Lin JY, Rodriguez EA. Structural and photophysical characterization of the small ultra-red fluorescent protein. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4155. [PMID: 37438348 PMCID: PMC10338489 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39776-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein (smURFP) represents a new class of fluorescent protein with exceptional photostability and brightness derived from allophycocyanin in a previous directed evolution. Here, we report the smURFP crystal structure to better understand properties and enable further engineering of improved variants. We compare this structure to the structures of allophycocyanin and smURFP mutants to identify the structural origins of the molecular brightness. We then use a structure-guided approach to develop monomeric smURFP variants that fluoresce with phycocyanobilin but not biliverdin. Furthermore, we measure smURFP photophysical properties necessary for advanced imaging modalities, such as those relevant for two-photon, fluorescence lifetime, and single-molecule imaging. We observe that smURFP has the largest two-photon cross-section measured for a fluorescent protein, and that it produces more photons than organic dyes. Altogether, this study expands our understanding of the smURFP, which will inform future engineering toward optimal FPs compatible with whole organism studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atanu Maiti
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Cosmo Z Buffalo
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Saumya Saurabh
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | | | - Justin S Hachey
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - William J Conlon
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Geraldine N Tran
- Department of Radiology, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Bakar Hassan
- Protein Processing Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Kylie J Walters
- Protein Processing Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Mikhail Drobizhev
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - W E Moerner
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Partho Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Hiroshi Matsuo
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Roger Y Tsien
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - John Y Lin
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000, Australia
| | - Erik A Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
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9
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Tan JS, Jaffar Ali MNB, Gan BK, Tan WS. Next-generation viral nanoparticles for targeted delivery of therapeutics: Fundamentals, methods, biomedical applications, and challenges. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2023; 20:955-978. [PMID: 37339432 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2228202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Viral nanoparticles (VNPs) are virus-based nanocarriers that have been studied extensively and intensively for biomedical applications. However, their clinical translation is relatively low compared to the predominating lipid-based nanoparticles. Therefore, this article describes the fundamentals, challenges, and solutions of the VNP-based platform, which will leverage the development of next-generation VNPs. AREAS COVERED Different types of VNPs and their biomedical applications are reviewed comprehensively. Strategies and approaches for cargo loading and targeted delivery of VNPs are examined thoroughly. The latest developments in controlled release of cargoes from VNPs and their mechanisms are highlighted too. The challenges faced by VNPs in biomedical applications are identified, and solutions are provided to overcome them. EXPERT OPINION In the development of next-generation VNPs for gene therapy, bioimaging and therapeutic deliveries, focus must be given to reduce their immunogenicity, and increase their stability in the circulatory system. Modular virus-like particles (VLPs) which are produced separately from their cargoes or ligands before all the components are coupled can speed up clinical trials and commercialization. In addition, removal of contaminants from VNPs, cargo delivery across the blood brain barrier (BBB), and targeting of VNPs to organelles intracellularly are challenges that will preoccupy researchers in this decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Sen Tan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Muhamad Norizwan Bin Jaffar Ali
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Bee Koon Gan
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wen Siang Tan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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10
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Hincapie R, Bhattacharya S, Keshavarz-Joud P, Chapman AP, Crooke SN, Finn MG. Preparation and Biological Properties of Oligonucleotide-Functionalized Virus-like Particles. Biomacromolecules 2023. [PMID: 37257068 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Oligonucleotides are powerful molecules for programming function and assembly. When arrayed on nanoparticle scaffolds in high density, the resulting molecules, spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), become imbued with unique properties. We used the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition to graft oligonucleotides on Qβ virus-like particles to see if such structures also gain SNA-like behavior. Copper-binding ligands were shown to promote the click reaction without degrading oligonucleotide substrates. Reactions were first optimized with a small-molecule fluorogenic reporter and were then applied to the more challenging synthesis of polyvalent protein nanoparticle-oligonucleotide conjugates. The resulting particles exhibited the enhanced cellular uptake and protection from nuclease-mediated oligonucleotide cleavage characteristic of SNAs, had similar residence time in the liver relative to unmodified particles, and were somewhat shielded from immune recognition, resulting in nearly 10-fold lower antibody titers relative to unmodified particles. Oligonucleotide-functionalized virus-like particles thus provide an interesting option for protein nanoparticle-mediated delivery of functional molecules.
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11
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Trashi I, Durbacz MZ, Trashi O, Wijesundara YH, Ehrman RN, Chiev AC, Darwin CB, Herbert FC, Gadhvi J, De Nisco NJ, Nielsen SO, Gassensmith JJ. Self-assembly of a fluorescent virus-like particle for imaging in tissues with high autofluorescence. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:4445-4452. [PMID: 37144595 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb00469d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are engineered nanoparticles that mimic the properties of viruses-like high tolerance to heat and proteases-but lack a viral genome, making them non-infectious. They are easily modified chemically and genetically, making them useful in drug delivery, enhancing vaccine efficacy, gene delivery, and cancer immunotherapy. One such VLP is Qβ, which has an affinity towards an RNA hairpin structure found in its viral RNA that drives the self-assembly of the capsid. It is possible to usurp the native way infectious Qβ self-assembles to encapsidate its RNA to place enzymes inside the VLP's lumen as a protease-resistant cage. Further, using RNA templates that mimic the natural self-assembly of the native capsid, fluorescent proteins (FPs) have been placed inside VLPs in a "one pot" expression system. Autofluorescence in tissues can lead to misinterpretation of results and unreliable science, so we created a single-pot expression system that uses the fluorescent protein smURFP, which avoids autofluorescence and has spectral properties compatible with standard commercial filter sets on confocal microscopes. In this work, we were able to simplify the existing "one-pot" expression system while creating high-yielding fluorescent VLP nanoparticles that could easily be imaged inside lung epithelial tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikeda Trashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA.
| | - Mateusz Z Durbacz
- Department of Molecular Biology and Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Orikeda Trashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA.
| | - Yalini H Wijesundara
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA.
| | - Ryanne N Ehrman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA.
| | - Alyssa C Chiev
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA.
| | - Cary B Darwin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA.
| | - Fabian C Herbert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA.
| | - Jashkaran Gadhvi
- Department of Biological Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA
| | - Nicole J De Nisco
- Department of Biological Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA
| | - Steven O Nielsen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA.
| | - Jeremiah J Gassensmith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, USA
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12
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Parsamian P, Liu Y, Xie C, Chen Z, Kang P, Wijesundara YH, Al-Kharji NM, Ehrman RN, Trashi O, Randrianalisoa JH, Zhu X, D’Souza M, Wilson LA, Kim MJ, Qin Z, Gassensmith JJ. Enhanced Nanobubble Formation: Gold Nanoparticle Conjugation to Qβ Virus-like Particles. ACS NANO 2023; 17:7797-7805. [PMID: 36884260 PMCID: PMC10461784 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c00638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Plasmonic gold nanostructures are a prevalent tool in modern hypersensitive analytical techniques such as photoablation, bioimaging, and biosensing. Recent studies have shown that gold nanostructures generate transient nanobubbles through localized heating and have been found in various biomedical applications. However, the current method of plasmonic nanoparticle cavitation events has several disadvantages, specifically including small metal nanostructures (≤10 nm) which lack size control, tuneability, and tissue localization by use of ultrashort pulses (ns, ps) and high-energy lasers which can result in tissue and cellular damage. This research investigates a method to immobilize sub-10 nm AuNPs (3.5 and 5 nm) onto a chemically modified thiol-rich surface of Qβ virus-like particles. These findings demonstrate that the multivalent display of sub-10 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) caused a profound and disproportionate increase in photocavitation by upward of 5-7-fold and significantly lowered the laser fluency by 4-fold when compared to individual sub-10 nm AuNPs. Furthermore, computational modeling showed that the cooling time of QβAuNP scaffolds is significantly extended than that of individual AuNPs, proving greater control of laser fluency and nanobubble generation as seen in the experimental data. Ultimately, these findings showed how QβAuNP composites are more effective at nanobubble generation than current methods of plasmonic nanoparticle cavitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perouza Parsamian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
| | - Yaning Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
| | - Chen Xie
- Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
| | - Peiyuan Kang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
| | - Yalini H. Wijesundara
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
| | - Noora M. Al-Kharji
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
| | - Ryanne Nicole Ehrman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
| | - Orikeda Trashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
| | - Jaona Harifidy Randrianalisoa
- Institut de Thermique, Mécanique, Matériaux – ITheMM EA 7548 Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Campus Moulin de la Housse, F-51687, Reims, France
| | - Xiangyu Zhu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
| | - Matthew D’Souza
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
| | - Lucas Anderson Wilson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
| | - Moon J. Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
| | - Zhenpeng Qin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
| | - Jeremiah J. Gassensmith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021, United States
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13
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Yuan B, Liu Y, Lv M, Sui Y, Hou S, Yang T, Belhadj Z, Zhou Y, Chang N, Ren Y, Sun C. Virus-like particle-based nanocarriers as an emerging platform for drug delivery. J Drug Target 2023; 31:433-455. [PMID: 36940208 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2023.2193358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
New nanocarrier technologies are emerging, and they have great potential for improving drug delivery, targeting efficiency, and bioavailability. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are natural nanoparticles from animal and plant viruses and bacteriophages. Hence, VLPs present several great advantages, such as morphological uniformity, biocompatibility, reduced toxicity, and easy functionalisation. VLPs can deliver many active ingredients to the target tissue and have great potential as a nanocarrier to overcome the limitations associated with other nanoparticles. This review will focus primarily on the construction and applications of VLPs, particularly as a novel nanocarrier to deliver active ingredients. Herein, the main methods for the construction, purification, and characterisation of VLPs, as well as various VLP-based materials used in delivery systems are summarised. The biological distribution of VLPs in drug delivery, phagocyte-mediated clearance, and toxicity are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Meilin Lv
- Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing 163319, China
| | - Yilei Sui
- Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing 163319, China
| | - Shenghua Hou
- Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing 163319, China
| | - Tinghui Yang
- Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing 163319, China
| | - Zakia Belhadj
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yulong Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China
| | - Naidan Chang
- Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing 163319, China
| | - Yachao Ren
- Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing 163319, China.,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, tianjin, 300000, China
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14
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Mattson S, Tran GN, Rodriguez EA. Directed Evolution of Fluorescent Proteins in Bacteria. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2564:75-97. [PMID: 36107338 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2667-2_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Directed evolution has revolutionized the way scientists create new biomolecules not found in nature. Error-prone polymerase chain reaction (PCR) introduces random mutations and was used to evolve jellyfish and coral fluorescent proteins in bacteria. We describe a novel method for the directed evolution of a far-red fluorescent protein in E. coli. The new method used genes to produce fluorophores inside E. coli and allowed changing the native fluorophore, phycocyanobilin, for a second small-molecule fluorophore, biliverdin. The directed evolution blueshifted the fluorescence, which enhanced the quantum yield to produce a brighter fluorescent protein. Finally, the evolution selected fluorescent proteins that expressed in large quantities in E. coli. The evolved fluorescent protein was named the small ultra-red fluorescent protein (smURFP) and was biophysically as bright as the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). This chapter describes the materials and methods used to evolve a far-red fluorescent protein in bacteria. While the focus is a fluorescent protein, the protocol is adaptable for the evolution of other biomolecules in bacteria when using a proper selection strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Mattson
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Geraldine N Tran
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Erik A Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
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15
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Wijesundara YH, Herbert FC, Kumari S, Howlett T, Koirala S, Trashi O, Trashi I, Al-Kharji NM, Gassensmith JJ. Rip it, stitch it, click it: A Chemist's guide to VLP manipulation. Virology 2022; 577:105-123. [PMID: 36343470 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2022.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Viruses are some of nature's most ubiquitous self-assembled molecular containers. Evolutionary pressures have created some incredibly robust, thermally, and enzymatically resistant carriers to transport delicate genetic information safely. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are human-engineered non-infectious systems that inherit the parent virus' ability to self-assemble under controlled conditions while being non-infectious. VLPs and plant-based viral nanoparticles are becoming increasingly popular in medicine as their self-assembly properties are exploitable for applications ranging from diagnostic tools to targeted drug delivery. Understanding the basic structure and principles underlying the assembly of higher-order structures has allowed researchers to disassemble (rip it), reassemble (stitch it), and functionalize (click it) these systems on demand. This review focuses on the current toolbox of strategies developed to manipulate these systems by ripping, stitching, and clicking to create new technologies in the biomedical space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalini H Wijesundara
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Fabian C Herbert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Sneha Kumari
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Thomas Howlett
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Shailendra Koirala
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Orikeda Trashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Ikeda Trashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Noora M Al-Kharji
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Jeremiah J Gassensmith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
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16
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Wijesundara YH, Herbert FC, Trashi O, Trashi I, Brohlin OR, Kumari S, Howlett T, Benjamin CE, Shahrivarkevishahi A, Diwakara SD, Perera SD, Cornelius SA, Vizuet JP, Balkus KJ, Smaldone RA, De Nisco NJ, Gassensmith JJ. Carrier gas triggered controlled biolistic delivery of DNA and protein therapeutics from metal-organic frameworks. Chem Sci 2022; 13:13803-13814. [PMID: 36544734 PMCID: PMC9710232 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc04982a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacy and specificity of protein, DNA, and RNA-based drugs make them popular in the clinic; however, these drugs are often delivered via injection, requiring skilled medical personnel, and producing biohazardous waste. Here, we report an approach that allows for their controlled delivery, affording either a burst or slow release without altering the formulation. We show that when encapsulated within zeolitic-imidazolate framework eight (ZIF-8), the biomolecules are stable in powder formulations and can be inoculated with a low-cost, gas-powered "MOF-Jet" into living animal and plant tissues. Additionally, their release profiles can be modulated through judicious selection of the carrier gas used in the MOF-Jet. Our in vitro and in vivo studies reveal that when CO2 is used, it creates a transient and weakly acidic local environment that causes a near-instantaneous release of the biomolecules through an immediate dissolution of ZIF-8. Conversely, when air is used, ZIF-8 biodegrades slowly, releasing the biomolecules over a week. This is the first example of controlled-biolistic delivery of biomolecules using ZIF-8, which provides a powerful tool for fundamental and applied science research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalini H. Wijesundara
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Fabian C. Herbert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Orikeda Trashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Ikeda Trashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Olivia R. Brohlin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Sneha Kumari
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Thomas Howlett
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Candace E. Benjamin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Arezoo Shahrivarkevishahi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Shashini D. Diwakara
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Sachini D. Perera
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Samuel A. Cornelius
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Juan P. Vizuet
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Kenneth J. Balkus
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Ronald A. Smaldone
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Nicole J. De Nisco
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
| | - Jeremiah J. Gassensmith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas800 West Campbel RdRichardson 75080TXUSA
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17
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McNeale D, Dashti N, Cheah LC, Sainsbury F. Protein cargo encapsulation by
virus‐like
particles: Strategies and applications. WIRES NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 15:e1869. [PMID: 36345849 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Viruses and the recombinant protein cages assembled from their structural proteins, known as virus-like particles (VLPs), have gained wide interest as tools in biotechnology and nanotechnology. Detailed structural information and their amenability to genetic and chemical modification make them attractive systems for further engineering. This review describes the range of non-enveloped viruses that have been co-opted for heterologous protein cargo encapsulation and the strategies that have been developed to drive encapsulation. Spherical capsids of a range of sizes have been used as platforms for protein cargo encapsulation. Various approaches, based on native and non-native interactions between the cargo proteins and inner surface of VLP capsids, have been devised to drive encapsulation. Here, we outline the evolution of these approaches, discussing their benefits and limitations. Like the viruses from which they are derived, VLPs are of interest in both biomedical and materials applications. The encapsulation of protein cargo inside VLPs leads to numerous uses in both fundamental and applied biocatalysis and biomedicine, some of which are discussed herein. The applied science of protein-encapsulating VLPs is emerging as a research field with great potential. Developments in loading control, higher order assembly, and capsid optimization are poised to realize this potential in the near future. This article is categorized under: Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna McNeale
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery Griffith University Nathan Queensland Australia
| | - Noor Dashti
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology The University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - Li Chen Cheah
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology The University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - Frank Sainsbury
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery Griffith University Nathan Queensland Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology The University of Queensland St Lucia Queensland Australia
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18
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Kwon S, Giessen TW. Engineered Protein Nanocages for Concurrent RNA and Protein Packaging In Vivo. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:3504-3515. [PMID: 36170610 PMCID: PMC9944510 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Protein nanocages have emerged as an important engineering platform for biotechnological and biomedical applications. Among naturally occurring protein cages, encapsulin nanocompartments have recently gained prominence due to their favorable physico-chemical properties, ease of shell modification, and highly efficient and selective intrinsic protein packaging capabilities. Here, we expand encapsulin function by designing and characterizing encapsulins for concurrent RNA and protein encapsulation in vivo. Our strategy is based on modifying encapsulin shells with nucleic acid-binding peptides without disrupting the native protein packaging mechanism. We show that our engineered encapsulins reliably self-assemble in vivo, are capable of efficient size-selective in vivo RNA packaging, can simultaneously load multiple functional RNAs, and can be used for concurrent in vivo packaging of RNA and protein. Our engineered encapsulation platform has potential for codelivery of therapeutic RNAs and proteins to elicit synergistic effects and as a modular tool for other biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokmu Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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19
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González-Gamboa I, Caparco AA, McCaskill JM, Steinmetz NF. Bioconjugation Strategies for Tobacco Mild Green Mosaic Virus. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200323. [PMID: 35835718 PMCID: PMC9624232 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco mild green mosaic virus (TMGMV) is a plant virus closely related to Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), sharing many of its structural and chemical features. These rod-shaped viruses, comprised of 2130 identical coat protein subunits, have been utilized as nanotechnological platforms for a myriad of applications, ranging from drug delivery to precision agriculture. This versatility for functionalization is due to their chemically active external and internal surfaces. While both viruses are similar, they do exhibit some key differences in their surface chemistry, suggesting the reactive residue distribution on TMGMV should not overlap with TMV. In this work, we focused on the establishment and refinement of chemical bioconjugation strategies to load molecules into or onto TMGMV for targeted delivery. A combination of NHS, EDC, and diazo coupling reactions in combination with click chemistry were used to modify the N-terminus, glutamic/aspartic acid residues, and tyrosines in TMGMV. We report loading with over 600 moieties per TMGMV via diazo-coupling, which is a >3-fold increase compared to previous studies. We also report that cargo can be loaded to the solvent-exposed N-terminus and carboxylates on the exterior/interior surfaces. Mass spectrometry revealed the most reactive sites to be Y12 and Y72, both tyrosine side chains are located on the exterior surface. For the carboxylates, interior E106 (66.53 %) was the most reactive for EDC-propargylamine coupled reactions, with the exterior E145 accounting for >15 % reactivity, overturning previous assumptions that only interior glutamic acid residues are accessible. A deeper understanding of the chemical properties of TMGMV further enables its functionalization and use as a multifunctional nanocarrier platform for applications in medicine and precision farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivonne González-Gamboa
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Adam A Caparco
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Justin M McCaskill
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nicole F Steinmetz
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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20
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Mejía-Méndez JL, Vazquez-Duhalt R, Hernández LR, Sánchez-Arreola E, Bach H. Virus-like Particles: Fundamentals and Biomedical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:8579. [PMID: 35955711 PMCID: PMC9369363 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanotechnology is a fast-evolving field focused on fabricating nanoscale objects for industrial, cosmetic, and therapeutic applications. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are self-assembled nanoparticles whose intrinsic properties, such as heterogeneity, and highly ordered structural organization are exploited to prepare vaccines; imaging agents; construct nanobioreactors; cancer treatment approaches; or deliver drugs, genes, and enzymes. However, depending upon the intrinsic features of the native virus from which they are produced, the therapeutic performance of VLPs can vary. This review compiles the recent scientific literature about the fundamentals of VLPs with biomedical applications. We consulted different databases to present a general scenario about viruses and how VLPs are produced in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell lines to entrap therapeutic cargo. Moreover, the structural classification, morphology, and methods to functionalize the surface of VLPs are discussed. Finally, different characterization techniques required to examine the size, charge, aggregation, and composition of VLPs are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge L. Mejía-Méndez
- Departamento de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, Santa Catarina Mártir s/n, Cholula 72810, Puebla, Mexico; (J.L.M.-M.); (L.R.H.); (E.S.-A.)
| | - Rafael Vazquez-Duhalt
- Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología UNAM, Km 107 Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada, Ensenada 22860, Baja California, Mexico;
| | - Luis R. Hernández
- Departamento de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, Santa Catarina Mártir s/n, Cholula 72810, Puebla, Mexico; (J.L.M.-M.); (L.R.H.); (E.S.-A.)
| | - Eugenio Sánchez-Arreola
- Departamento de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, Santa Catarina Mártir s/n, Cholula 72810, Puebla, Mexico; (J.L.M.-M.); (L.R.H.); (E.S.-A.)
| | - Horacio Bach
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
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21
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Almogbil HH, Montecinos-Franjola F, Daszynski C, Conlon WJ, Hachey JS, Corazza G, Rodriguez EA, Zderic V. Therapeutic Ultrasound for Topical Corneal Delivery of Macromolecules. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:23. [PMID: 35998058 PMCID: PMC9424970 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.8.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The objective of this study was to utilize therapeutic ultrasound in enhancing delivery of topical macromolecules into the cornea. Methods Rabbit corneas were dissected and placed in a diffusion cell with a small ultra-red fluorescent protein (smURFP; molecular weight of 32,000 Da) as a macromolecule solution. The corneas were treated with continuous ultrasound application at frequencies of 400 or 600 kHz and intensities of 0.8 to 1.0 W/cm2 for 5 minutes, or sham-treated. Fluorescence imaging of the cornea sections was used to observe the delivery of macromolecules into individual epithelial cells. Spectrophotometric analysis at smURFP maximal absorbance of 640 nm was done to determine the presence of macromolecules in the receiver compartment. Safety of ultrasound application was studied through histology analysis. Results Ultrasound-treated corneas showed smURFP delivery into epithelial cells by fluorescence in the cytoplasm, whereas sham-treated corneas lacked any appreciable fluorescence in the individual cells. The sham group showed 0% of subcellular penetration, whereas the 400 kHz ultrasound-treated group and 600 kHz ultrasound-treated group showed 31% and 57% of subcellular penetration, respectively. Spectrophotometry measurements indicated negligible presence of smURFP macromolecules in the receiver compartment solution in both the sham and ultrasound treatment groups, and these macromolecules did not cross the entire depth of the cornea. Histological studies showed no significant corneal damage due to ultrasound application. Conclusions Therapeutic ultrasound application was shown to increase the delivery of smURFP macromolecules into the cornea. Translational Relevance Our study offers a clinical potential for a minimally invasive macromolecular treatment of corneal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanaa H. Almogbil
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Camille Daszynski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - William J. Conlon
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Justin S. Hachey
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Giavanna Corazza
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Erik A. Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Vesna Zderic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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22
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Edwardson TGW, Levasseur MD, Tetter S, Steinauer A, Hori M, Hilvert D. Protein Cages: From Fundamentals to Advanced Applications. Chem Rev 2022; 122:9145-9197. [PMID: 35394752 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Proteins that self-assemble into polyhedral shell-like structures are useful molecular containers both in nature and in the laboratory. Here we review efforts to repurpose diverse protein cages, including viral capsids, ferritins, bacterial microcompartments, and designed capsules, as vaccines, drug delivery vehicles, targeted imaging agents, nanoreactors, templates for controlled materials synthesis, building blocks for higher-order architectures, and more. A deep understanding of the principles underlying the construction, function, and evolution of natural systems has been key to tailoring selective cargo encapsulation and interactions with both biological systems and synthetic materials through protein engineering and directed evolution. The ability to adapt and design increasingly sophisticated capsid structures and functions stands to benefit the fields of catalysis, materials science, and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephan Tetter
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Angela Steinauer
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mao Hori
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Donald Hilvert
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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23
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Keum H, Yoo D, Jon S. Photomedicine based on heme-derived compounds. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 182:114134. [PMID: 35122881 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Photoimaging and phototherapy have become major platforms for the diagnosis and treatment of various health complications. These applications require a photosensitizer (PS) that is capable of absorbing light from a source and converting it into other energy forms for detection and therapy. While synthetic inorganic materials such as quantum dots and gold nanorods have been widely explored for their medical diagnosis and photodynamic (PDT) and photothermal (PTT) therapy capabilities, translation of these technologies has lagged, primarily owing to potential cytotoxicity and immunogenicity issues. Of the various photoreactive molecules, the naturally occurring endogenous compound heme, a constituent of red blood cells, and its derivatives, porphyrin, biliverdin and bilirubin, have shown immense potential as noteworthy candidates for clinically translatable photoreactive agents, as evidenced by previous reports. While porphyrin-based photomedicines have attracted significant attention and are well documented, research on photomedicines based on two other heme-derived compounds, biliverdin and bilirubin, has been relatively lacking. In this review, we summarize the unique photoproperties of heme-derived compounds and outline recent efforts to use them in biomedical imaging and phototherapy applications.
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24
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Luzuriaga MA, Herbert FC, Brohlin OR, Gadhvi J, Howlett T, Shahrivarkevishahi A, Wijesundara YH, Venkitapathi S, Veera K, Ehrman R, Benjamin CE, Popal S, Burton MD, Ingersoll MA, De Nisco NJ, Gassensmith JJ. Metal-Organic Framework Encapsulated Whole-Cell Vaccines Enhance Humoral Immunity against Bacterial Infection. ACS NANO 2021; 15:17426-17438. [PMID: 34546723 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c03092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The increasing rate of resistance of bacterial infection against antibiotics requires next generation approaches to fight potential pandemic spread. The development of vaccines against pathogenic bacteria has been difficult owing, in part, to the genetic diversity of bacteria. Hence, there are many potential target antigens and little a priori knowledge of which antigen/s will elicit protective immunity. The painstaking process of selecting appropriate antigens could be avoided with whole-cell bacteria; however, whole-cell formulations typically fail to produce long-term and durable immune responses. These complications are one reason why no vaccine against any type of pathogenic E. coli has been successfully clinically translated. As a proof of principle, we demonstrate a method to enhance the immunogenicity of a model pathogenic E. coli strain by forming a slow releasing depot. The E. coli strain CFT073 was biomimetically mineralized within a metal-organic framework (MOF). This process encapsulates the bacteria within 30 min in water and at ambient temperatures. Vaccination with this formulation substantially enhances antibody production and results in significantly enhanced survival in a mouse model of bacteremia compared to standard inactivated formulations.
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25
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Shahrivarkevishahi A, Luzuriaga MA, Herbert FC, Tumac AC, Brohlin OR, Wijesundara YH, Adlooru AV, Benjamin C, Lee H, Parsamian P, Gadhvi J, De Nisco NJ, Gassensmith JJ. PhotothermalPhage: A Virus-Based Photothermal Therapeutic Agent. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:16428-16438. [PMID: 34551259 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c05090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are multifunctional nanocarriers that mimic the architecture of viruses. They can serve as a safe platform for specific functionalization and immunization, which provides benefits in a wide range of biomedical applications. In this work, a new generation immunophotothermal agent is developed that adjuvants photothermal ablation using a chemically modified VLP called bacteriophage Qβ. The design is based on the conjugation of near-infrared absorbing croconium dyes to lysine residues located on the surface of Qβ, which turns it to a powerful NIR-absorber called PhotothermalPhage. This system can generate more heat upon 808 nm NIR laser radiation than free dye and possesses a photothermal efficiency comparable to gold nanostructures, yet it is biodegradable and acts as an immunoadjuvant combined with the heat it produces. The synergistic combination of thermal ablation with the mild immunogenicity of the VLP leads to effective suppression of primary tumors, reduced lung metastasis, and increased survival time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arezoo Shahrivarkevishahi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Michael A Luzuriaga
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Fabian C Herbert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Alisia C Tumac
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Olivia R Brohlin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Yalini H Wijesundara
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Abhinay V Adlooru
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Candace Benjamin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Hamilton Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Perouza Parsamian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Jashkaran Gadhvi
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Nicole J De Nisco
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Jeremiah J Gassensmith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
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26
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Machado JH, Ting R, Lin JY, Rodriguez EA. A self-labeling protein based on the small ultra-red fluorescent protein, smURFP. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:1221-1226. [PMID: 34458834 PMCID: PMC8341759 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00127b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-labeling proteins have revolutionized super-resolution and sensor imaging. Tags recognize a bioorthogonal substrate for covalent attachment. We show the small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein (smURFP) is a self-labeling protein. The substrate is fluorogenic, fluoresces when attached, and quenches fluorescent cargo. The smURFP-tag has novel properties for tool development.
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Affiliation(s)
- John-Hanson Machado
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University Washington DC 20052 USA
| | - Richard Ting
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute (MI3), Weill Cornell Medicine New York NY 10065 USA
- Antelope Surgical, Biolabs@NYULangone New York NY 10014 USA
| | - John Y Lin
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania 7000 Australia
| | - Erik A Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University Washington DC 20052 USA
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27
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Chen L, Hong W, Ren W, Xu T, Qian Z, He Z. Recent progress in targeted delivery vectors based on biomimetic nanoparticles. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:225. [PMID: 34099630 PMCID: PMC8182741 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00631-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, great interest has been given to biomimetic nanoparticles (BNPs) since the rise of targeted drug delivery systems and biomimetic nanotechnology. Biological vectors including cell membranes, extracellular vesicles (EVs), and viruses are considered promising candidates for targeted delivery owing to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. BNPs, the integration of biological vectors and functional agents, are anticipated to load cargos or camouflage synthetic nanoparticles to achieve targeted delivery. Despite their excellent intrinsic properties, natural vectors are deliberately modified to endow multiple functions such as good permeability, improved loading capability, and high specificity. Through structural modification and transformation of the vectors, they are pervasively utilized as more effective vehicles that can deliver contrast agents, chemotherapy drugs, nucleic acids, and genes to target sites for refractory disease therapy. This review summarizes recent advances in targeted delivery vectors based on cell membranes, EVs, and viruses, highlighting the potential applications of BNPs in the fields of biomedical imaging and therapy industry, as well as discussing the possibility of clinical translation and exploitation trend of these BNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Weiqi Hong
- Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wenyan Ren
- Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhiyong Qian
- Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhiyao He
- Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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28
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Ganganboina AB, Takemura K, Zhang W, Li TC, Park EY. Cargo encapsulated hepatitis E virus-like particles for anti-HEV antibody detection. Biosens Bioelectron 2021; 185:113261. [PMID: 33962156 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Viral capsid-nanoparticle hybrid structures incorporating quantum dots (QDs) into virus-like particles (VLPs) constitute an emerging bioinspired type of nanoarchitecture paradigm used for various applications. In the present study, we packed inorganic QDs in vitro into the hepatitis E virus-like particle (HEV-LP) and developed a fluorometric biosensor for HEV antibody detection. Firstly, for the preparation of QDs-encapsulated HEV-LPs (QDs@HEV-LP), the HEV-LPs produced by a recombinant baculovirus expression system were disassembled and reassembled in the presence of QDs using the self-assembly approach. Thus, the prepared QDs@HEV-LP exhibited excellent fluorescence properties similar to QDs. Further, in the presence of HEV antibodies in the serum samples, when mixed with QDs@HEV-LP, bind together and further bind to anti-IgG-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The target-specific anti-IgG-MNPs and QDs@HEV-LP enrich the HEV antibodies by magnetic separation, and the separated QDs@HEV-LP-bound HEV antibodies are quantified by fluorescence measurement. This developed method was applied to detect the HEV antibody from sera of HEV-infected monkey from 0 to 68 days-post-infection and successfully diagnosed for HEV antibodies. The viral RNA copies number from monkey fecal samples by RT-qPCR was compared to the HEV antibody generation. This study first used QDs-encapsulated VLPs as useful fluorescence emitters for biosensing platform construction. It provides an efficient route for highly sensitive and specific antibody detection in clinical diagnosis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhilesh Babu Ganganboina
- Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.
| | - Kenshin Takemura
- Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Virology 2, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayam-shi, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan.
| | - Tian-Cheng Li
- Department of Virology 2, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayam-shi, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan.
| | - Enoch Y Park
- Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan; Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.
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29
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Chan SK, Du P, Ignacio C, Mehta S, Newton IG, Steinmetz NF. Virus-Like Particles as Positive Controls for COVID-19 RT-LAMP Diagnostic Assays. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:1231-1243. [PMID: 33539086 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) is a rapid and inexpensive isothermal alternative to the current gold standard reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, unlike RT-qPCR, there are no consensus detection regions or optimal RT-LAMP methods, and most protocols do not include internal controls to ensure reliability. Naked RNAs, plasmids, or even RNA from infectious COVID-19 patients have been used as external positive controls for RT-LAMP assays, but such reagents lack the stability required for full-process control. To overcome the lack of proper internal and external positive controls and the instability of the detection RNA, we developed virus-like particles (VLPs) using bacteriophage Qβ and plant virus cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) for the encapsidation of target RNA, namely a so-called SARS-CoV-2 LAMP detection module (SLDM). The target RNA is a truncated segment of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) gene and human RNase P gene (internal control) as positive controls for RT-qPCR and RT-LAMP. Target RNAs stably encapsidated in Qβ and CCMV VLPs were previously shown to function as full-process controls in RT-qPCR assays, and here we show that SLDMs can fulfill the same function for RT-LAMP and swab-to-test (direct RT-LAMP with heat lysis) assays. The SLDM was validated in a clinical setting, highlighting the promise of VLPs as positive controls for molecular assays.
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30
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Montecinos-Franjola F, Lin JY, Rodriguez EA. Fluorescent proteins for in vivo imaging, where's the biliverdin? Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:2657-2667. [PMID: 33196077 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Noninvasive fluorescent imaging requires far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins for deeper imaging. Near-infrared light penetrates biological tissue with blood vessels due to low absorbance, scattering, and reflection of light and has a greater signal-to-noise due to less autofluorescence. Far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins absorb light >600 nm to expand the color palette for imaging multiple biosensors and noninvasive in vivo imaging. The ideal fluorescent proteins are bright, photobleach minimally, express well in the desired cells, do not oligomerize, and generate or incorporate exogenous fluorophores efficiently. Coral-derived red fluorescent proteins require oxygen for fluorophore formation and release two hydrogen peroxide molecules. New fluorescent proteins based on phytochrome and phycobiliproteins use biliverdin IXα as fluorophores, do not require oxygen for maturation to image anaerobic organisms and tumor core, and do not generate hydrogen peroxide. The small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein (smURFP) was evolved from a cyanobacterial phycobiliprotein to covalently attach biliverdin as an exogenous fluorophore. The small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein is biophysically as bright as the enhanced green fluorescent protein, is exceptionally photostable, used for biosensor development, and visible in living mice. Novel applications of smURFP include in vitro protein diagnostics with attomolar (10-18 M) sensitivity, encapsulation in viral particles, and fluorescent protein nanoparticles. However, the availability of biliverdin limits the fluorescence of biliverdin-attaching fluorescent proteins; hence, extra biliverdin is needed to enhance brightness. New methods for improved biliverdin bioavailability are necessary to develop improved bright far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins for noninvasive imaging in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Y Lin
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Erik A Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, U.S.A
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31
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Herbert FC, Brohlin OR, Galbraith T, Benjamin C, Reyes CA, Luzuriaga MA, Shahrivarkevishahi A, Gassensmith JJ. Supramolecular Encapsulation of Small-Ultrared Fluorescent Proteins in Virus-Like Nanoparticles for Noninvasive In Vivo Imaging Agents. Bioconjug Chem 2020; 31:1529-1536. [PMID: 32343135 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.0c00190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Icosahedral virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from bacteriophages Qβ and PP7 encapsulating small-ultrared fluorescent protein (smURFP) were produced using a versatile supramolecular capsid disassemble-reassemble approach. The generated fluorescent VLPs display identical structural properties to their nonfluorescent analogs. Encapsulated smURFP shows indistinguishable photochemical properties to its unencapsulated counterpart, exhibits outstanding stability toward pH, and produces bright in vitro images following phagocytosis by macrophages. In vivo imaging allows the biodistribution to be imaged at different time points. Ex vivo imaging of intravenously administered encapsulated smURFP reveals a localization in the liver and kidneys after 2 h blood circulation and substantial elimination after 16 h of imaging, highlighting the potential application of these constructs as noninvasive in vivo imaging agents.
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