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Gay L, Suwan K, Hajitou A. Construction and utilization of a new generation of bacteriophage-based particles, or TPA, for guided systemic delivery of nucleic acids to tumors. Nat Protoc 2024:10.1038/s41596-024-01040-9. [PMID: 39237829 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-024-01040-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Successful delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics to diseased sites would present a pivotal advancement in cancer treatment. However, progress has been hindered by the lack of efficient tumor-selective vectors via clinical systemic routes, the blood-brain barrier for brain tumors and problems with repeated administrations. We present a new generation of M13 phage-based vectors termed transmorphic phage/adeno-associated virus (AAV) (TPA), wherein the phage genome has been excised to facilitate exclusive packaging of human AAV DNA by phage coat proteins. Here we provide a detailed protocol for the molecular cloning of DNA into the TPA construct, display of disease-specific ligands on the helper phage capsid for cell targeting and entry, and packaging of TPA DNA by helper phage coat proteins in a bacterial host. Furthermore, we provide methods for mammalian cell transduction and assessment of transgene expression in vitro as well as in vivo application of TPA particles in tumor-bearing mice. Unlike other similar methods, our protocol enables high-yield production and control of helper phage quantity in TPA preparations. Moreover, compared with existing M13 phage vectors, TPA particles can accommodate large size transgene inserts, despite being considerably more compact, providing superior gene delivery through enhanced diffusion across the extracellular matrix, improved cellular binding and entry and increased vector DNA accumulation in the nucleus. The protocol encompasses a timeline of 4-5 months, including construction and production of TPA particles with transgene and targeted ligand and in vitro/in vivo testing. This protocol can be conducted by researchers trained in basic molecular biology/bacteriology research techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Gay
- Cancer Phage Therapy, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Keittisak Suwan
- Cancer Phage Therapy, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Amin Hajitou
- Cancer Phage Therapy, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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2
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Pierzynowska K, Morcinek-Orłowska J, Gaffke L, Jaroszewicz W, Skowron PM, Węgrzyn G. Applications of the phage display technology in molecular biology, biotechnology and medicine. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024; 50:450-490. [PMID: 37270791 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2023.2219741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The phage display technology is based on the presentation of peptide sequences on the surface of virions of bacteriophages. Its development led to creation of sophisticated systems based on the possibility of the presentation of a huge variability of peptides, attached to one of proteins of bacteriophage capsids. The use of such systems allowed for achieving enormous advantages in the processes of selection of bioactive molecules. In fact, the phage display technology has been employed in numerous fields of biotechnology, as diverse as immunological and biomedical applications (in both diagnostics and therapy), the formation of novel materials, and many others. In this paper, contrary to many other review articles which were focussed on either specific display systems or the use of phage display in selected fields, we present a comprehensive overview of various possibilities of applications of this technology. We discuss an usefulness of the phage display technology in various fields of science, medicine and the broad sense of biotechnology. This overview indicates the spread and importance of applications of microbial systems (exemplified by the phage display technology), pointing to the possibility of developing such sophisticated tools when advanced molecular methods are used in microbiological studies, accompanied with understanding of details of structures and functions of microbial entities (bacteriophages in this case).
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Pierzynowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | | | - Lidia Gaffke
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Weronika Jaroszewicz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Piotr M Skowron
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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3
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Pham Q, Glicksman J, Chatterjee A. Chemical approaches to probe and engineer AAV vectors. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:13820-13833. [PMID: 38978480 PMCID: PMC11271820 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr01300j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has emerged as the most promising vector for in vivo human gene therapy, with several therapeutic approvals in the last few years and countless more under development. Underlying this remarkable success are several attractive features that AAV offers, including lack of pathogenicity, low immunogenicity, long-term gene expression without genomic integration, the ability to infect both dividing and non-dividing cells, etc. However, the commonly used wild-type AAV capsids in therapeutic development present significant challenges, including inadequate tissue specificity and the need for large doses to attain therapeutic effectiveness, raising safety concerns. Additionally, significant preexisting adaptive immunity against most natural capsids, and the development of such anti-capsid immunity after the first treatment, represent major challenges. Strategies to engineer the AAV capsid are critically needed to address these challenges and unlock the full promise of AAV gene therapy. Chemical modification of the AAV capsid has recently emerged as a powerful new approach to engineer its properties. Unlike genetic strategies, which can be more disruptive to the delicate capsid assembly and packaging processes, "late-stage" chemical modification of the assembled capsid-whether at natural amino acid residues or site-specifically installed noncanonical amino acid residues-often enables a versatile approach to introducing new properties to the capsid. This review summarizes the significant recent progress in AAV capsid engineering strategies, with a particular focus on chemical modifications in advancing the next generation of AAV-based gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Pham
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
| | - Jake Glicksman
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
| | - Abhishek Chatterjee
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
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Wang H, Yang Y, Xu Y, Chen Y, Zhang W, Liu T, Chen G, Wang K. Phage-based delivery systems: engineering, applications, and challenges in nanomedicines. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:365. [PMID: 38918839 PMCID: PMC11197292 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02576-4] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) represent a unique category of viruses with a remarkable ability to selectively infect host bacteria, characterized by their assembly from proteins and nucleic acids. Leveraging their exceptional biological properties and modifiable characteristics, phages emerge as innovative, safe, and efficient delivery vectors. The potential drawbacks associated with conventional nanocarriers in the realms of drug and gene delivery include a lack of cell-specific targeting, cytotoxicity, and diminished in vivo transfection efficiency. In contrast, engineered phages, when employed as cargo delivery vectors, hold the promise to surmount these limitations and attain enhanced delivery efficacy. This review comprehensively outlines current strategies for the engineering of phages, delineates the principal types of phages utilized as nanocarriers in drug and gene delivery, and explores the application of phage-based delivery systems in disease therapy. Additionally, an incisive analysis is provided, critically examining the challenges confronted by phage-based delivery systems within the domain of nanotechnology. The primary objective of this article is to furnish a theoretical reference that contributes to the reasoned design and development of potent phage-based delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
- Qingdao Central Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Central Medical Group), Qingdao, 266024, China
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences and Engineering, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, 266024, China
| | - Ying Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yan Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yi Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Tianqing Liu
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, 2145, Australia.
| | - Gang Chen
- Qingdao Central Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Central Medical Group), Qingdao, 266024, China.
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences and Engineering, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, 266024, China.
| | - Kaikai Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
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Hou X, Zhang B, Cheng K, Zhang F, Xie X, Chen W, Tan L, Fan J, Liu B, Xu Q. Engineering Phage Nanocarriers Integrated with Bio-Intelligent Plasmids for Personalized and Tunable Enzyme Delivery to Enhance Chemodynamic Therapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2308349. [PMID: 38582522 PMCID: PMC11199971 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Customizable and number-tunable enzyme delivery nanocarriers will be useful in tumor therapy. Herein, a phage vehicle, T4-Lox-DNA-Fe (TLDF), which adeptly modulates enzyme numbers using phage display technology to remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME) is presented. Regarding the demand for lactic acid in tumors, each phage is engineered to display 720 lactate oxidase (Lox), contributing to the depletion of lactic acid to restructure the tumor's energy metabolism. The phage vehicle incorporated dextran iron (Fe) with Fenton reaction capabilities. H2O2 is generated through the Lox catalytic reaction, amplifying the H2O2 supply for dextran iron-based chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Drawing inspiration from the erythropoietin (EPO) biosynthetic process, an EPO enhancer is constructed to impart the EPO-Keap1 plasmid (DNA) with tumor hypoxia-activated functionality, disrupting the redox homeostasis of the TME. Lox consumes local oxygen, and positive feedback between the Lox and the plasmid promotes the expression of kelch ECH Associated Protein 1 (Keap1). Consequently, the downregulation of the antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2, in synergy with CDT, amplifies the oxidative killing effect, leading to tumor suppression of up to 78%. This study seamlessly integrates adaptable T4 phage vehicles with bio-intelligent plasmids, presenting a promising approach for tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao‐Lin Hou
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics – Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key LaboratoryDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCollege of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics – Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key LaboratoryDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCollege of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
| | - Kai Cheng
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics – Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key LaboratoryDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCollege of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics – Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key LaboratoryDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCollege of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
| | - Xiao‐Ting Xie
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics – Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key LaboratoryDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCollege of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
| | - Wei Chen
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics – Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key LaboratoryDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCollege of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
| | - Lin‐Fang Tan
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics – Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key LaboratoryDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCollege of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
| | - Jin‐Xuan Fan
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics – Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key LaboratoryDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCollege of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
| | - Bo Liu
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics – Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key LaboratoryDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringCollege of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Photonics (HUST)Ministry of EducationHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
- NMPA Research Base of Regulatory Science for Medical Devices & Institute of Regulatory Science for Medical DevicesHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430074P. R. China
| | - Qiu‐Ran Xu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized MedicineZhejiang Provincial People's HospitalAffiliated People's HospitalHangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiang310014P. R. China
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6
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Sharifi M, Alizadeh AA, Mivehroud MH, Dastmalchi S. Construction of a bacteriophage-derived vector with potential applications in targeted drug delivery and cell imaging. Biotechnol Lett 2024; 46:147-159. [PMID: 38184487 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-023-03455-y] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
There is a strong relationship between the dysregulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the development of epithelial-derived cancers. Therefore, EGFR has usually been considered the desired target for gene therapy. Here, we propose an approach for targeting EGFR-expressing cells by phage particles capable of displaying EGF and GFP as tumor-targeting and reporting elements, respectively. For this purpose, the superfolder GFP-EGF (sfGFP-EGF) coding sequence was inserted at the N-terminus of the pIII gene in the pIT2 phagemid. The capability of the constructed phage to recognize EGFR-overexpressing cells was monitored by fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and cell-based ELISA experiments. FACS analysis showed a significant shift in the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the cells treated with phage displaying sfGFP-EGF compared to phage displaying only sfGFP. The binding of phage displaying sfGFP-EGF to A-431 cells, monitored by fluorescence microscopy, indicated the formation of the sfGFP-EGF-EGFR complex on the surface of the treated cells. Cell-based ELISA experiments showed that phages displaying either EGF or sfGFP-EGF can specifically bind EGFR-expressing cells. The vector constructed in the current study has the potential to be engineered for gene delivery purposes as well as cell-based imaging for tumor detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Sharifi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Analysis Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Alizadeh
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| | - Maryam Hamzeh Mivehroud
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- School of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Siavoush Dastmalchi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- School of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Near East University, Po. Box: 99138, Nicosia, North Cyprus, Mersin 10, Turkey.
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7
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Majewska J, Miernikiewicz P, Szymczak A, Kaźmierczak Z, Goszczyński TM, Owczarek B, Rybicka I, Ciekot J, Dąbrowska K. Evolution of the T4 phage virion is driven by selection pressure from non-bacterial factors. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0011523. [PMID: 37724862 PMCID: PMC10580926 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00115-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages colonize animal and human bodies, propagating on sensitive bacteria that are symbionts, commensals, or pathogens of animals and humans. T4-like phages are dependent on abundant symbionts such as Escherichia coli, commonly present in animal and human gastrointestinal (GI) tracts. Bacteriophage T4 is one of the most complex viruses, and its intricate structure, particularly the capsid head protecting the phage genome, likely contributes substantially to the overall phage fitness in diverse environments. We investigated how individual head proteins-gp24, Hoc, and Soc-affect T4 phage survival under pressure from non-bacterial factors. We constructed a panel of T4 phage variants defective in these structural proteins: T4∆Soc, T4∆24byp24, T4∆Hoc∆Soc, T4∆Hoc∆24byp24, T4∆Soc∆24byp24, and T4∆Hoc∆Soc∆24byp24 (byp = bypass). These variants were investigated for their sensitivity to selected environmental conditions relevant to the microenvironment of the GI tract, including pH, temperature, and digestive enzymes. The simple and "primitive" structure of the phage capsid (∆24byp24) was significantly less stable at low pH and more sensitive to inactivation by digestive enzymes, and the simultaneous lack of gp24 and Soc resulted in a notable decrease in phage activity at 37°C. Gp24 was also found to be highly resistant to thermal and chemical denaturation. Thus, gp24, which was acquired relatively late in evolution, seems to play a key role in T4 withstanding environmental conditions, including those related to the animal/human GI tract, and Soc is a molecular glue that enhances this protective effect. IMPORTANCE Bacteriophages are important components of animal and human microbiota, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, where they dominate the viral community and contribute to shaping microbial balance. However, interactions with bacterial hosts are not the only element of the equation in phage survival-phages inhabiting the GI tract are constantly exposed to increased temperature, pH fluctuations, or digestive enzymes, which raises the question of whether and how the complex structure of phage capsids contributes to their persistence in the specific microenvironment of human/animal bodies. Here we address this phage-centric perspective, identifying the role of individual head proteins in T4 phage survival in GI tract conditions. The selection pressure driving the evolution of T4-like phages could have come from the external environment that affects phage virions with increased temperature and variable pH; it is possible that in the local microenvironment along the GI tract, the phage benefits from stability-protecting proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Majewska
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Paulina Miernikiewicz
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Aleksander Szymczak
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Kaźmierczak
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital in Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tomasz M. Goszczyński
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Barbara Owczarek
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Izabela Rybicka
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Jarosław Ciekot
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Krystyna Dąbrowska
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital in Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
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Zhu J, Batra H, Ananthaswamy N, Mahalingam M, Tao P, Wu X, Guo W, Fokine A, Rao VB. Design of bacteriophage T4-based artificial viral vectors for human genome remodeling. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2928. [PMID: 37253769 PMCID: PMC10229621 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38364-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Designing artificial viral vectors (AVVs) programmed with biomolecules that can enter human cells and carry out molecular repairs will have broad applications. Here, we describe an assembly-line approach to build AVVs by engineering the well-characterized structural components of bacteriophage T4. Starting with a 120 × 86 nm capsid shell that can accommodate 171-Kbp DNA and thousands of protein copies, various combinations of biomolecules, including DNAs, proteins, RNAs, and ribonucleoproteins, are externally and internally incorporated. The nanoparticles are then coated with cationic lipid to enable efficient entry into human cells. As proof of concept, we assemble a series of AVVs designed to deliver full-length dystrophin gene or perform various molecular operations to remodel human genome, including genome editing, gene recombination, gene replacement, gene expression, and gene silencing. These large capacity, customizable, multiplex, and all-in-one phage-based AVVs represent an additional category of nanomaterial that could potentially transform gene therapies and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingen Zhu
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 20064, USA
| | - Himanshu Batra
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 20064, USA
| | - Neeti Ananthaswamy
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 20064, USA
| | - Marthandan Mahalingam
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 20064, USA
| | - Pan Tao
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 20064, USA
| | - Xiaorong Wu
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 20064, USA
| | - Wenzheng Guo
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 20064, USA
| | - Andrei Fokine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Venigalla B Rao
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 20064, USA.
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Zhang J, Wang Z, Min J, Zhang X, Su R, Wang Y, Qi W. Self-Assembly of Peptide-Lipid Nanoparticles for the Efficient Delivery of Nucleic Acids. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:7484-7494. [PMID: 37195813 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c00834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
A transfection formulation is successfully developed to deliver nucleic acids by adding an auxiliary lipid (DOTAP) to the peptide, and the transfection efficiency of pDNA reaches 72.6%, which is close to Lipofectamine 2000. In addition, the designed KHL peptide-DOTAP complex exhibits good biocompatibility by cytotoxicity and hemolysis analysis. The mRNA delivery experiment indicates that the complex had a 9- or 10-fold increase compared with KHL or DOTAP alone. Intracellular localization shows that KHL/DOTAP can achieve good endolysosomal escape. Our design provides a new platform for improving the transfection efficiency of peptide vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaojiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Zixuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Jiwei Min
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Xuelin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Rongxin Su
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Yuefei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Wei Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Membrane Science and Desalination Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
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10
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Pupo A, Fernández A, Low SH, François A, Suárez-Amarán L, Samulski RJ. AAV vectors: The Rubik's cube of human gene therapy. Mol Ther 2022; 30:3515-3541. [PMID: 36203359 PMCID: PMC9734031 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Defective genes account for ∼80% of the total of more than 7,000 diseases known to date. Gene therapy brings the promise of a one-time treatment option that will fix the errors in patient genetic coding. Recombinant viruses are highly efficient vehicles for in vivo gene delivery. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors offer unique advantages, such as tissue tropism, specificity in transduction, eliciting of a relatively low immune responses, no incorporation into the host chromosome, and long-lasting delivered gene expression, making them the most popular viral gene delivery system in clinical trials, with three AAV-based gene therapy drugs already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or European Medicines Agency (EMA). Despite the success of AAV vectors, their usage in particular scenarios is still limited due to remaining challenges, such as poor transduction efficiency in certain tissues, low organ specificity, pre-existing humoral immunity to AAV capsids, and vector dose-dependent toxicity in patients. In the present review, we address the different approaches to improve AAV vectors for gene therapy with a focus on AAV capsid selection and engineering, strategies to overcome anti-AAV immune response, and vector genome design, ending with a glimpse at vector production methods and the current state of recombinant AAV (rAAV) at the clinical level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaury Pupo
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Audry Fernández
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Siew Hui Low
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Achille François
- Viralgen. Parque Tecnológico de Guipuzkoa, Edificio Kuatro, Paseo Mikeletegui, 83, 20009 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Lester Suárez-Amarán
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Richard Jude Samulski
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA,Corresponding author: Richard Jude Samulski, R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, NC 27709, USA.
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11
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Bacteriophage-Mediated Cancer Gene Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214245. [PMID: 36430720 PMCID: PMC9697857 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages have long been considered only as infectious agents that affect bacterial hosts. However, recent studies provide compelling evidence that these viruses are able to successfully interact with eukaryotic cells at the levels of the binding, entry and expression of their own genes. Currently, bacteriophages are widely used in various areas of biotechnology and medicine, but the most intriguing of them is cancer therapy. There are increasing studies confirming the efficacy and safety of using phage-based vectors as a systemic delivery vehicle of therapeutic genes and drugs in cancer therapy. Engineered bacteriophages, as well as eukaryotic viruses, demonstrate a much greater efficiency of transgene delivery and expression in cancer cells compared to non-viral gene transfer methods. At the same time, phage-based vectors, in contrast to eukaryotic viruses-based vectors, have no natural tropism to mammalian cells and, as a result, provide more selective delivery of therapeutic cargos to target cells. Moreover, numerous data indicate the presence of more complex molecular mechanisms of interaction between bacteriophages and eukaryotic cells, the further study of which is necessary both for the development of gene therapy methods and for understanding the cancer nature. In this review, we summarize the key results of research into aspects of phage-eukaryotic cell interaction and, in particular, the use of phage-based vectors for highly selective and effective systemic cancer gene therapy.
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12
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Taslem Mourosi J, Awe A, Guo W, Batra H, Ganesh H, Wu X, Zhu J. Understanding Bacteriophage Tail Fiber Interaction with Host Surface Receptor: The Key "Blueprint" for Reprogramming Phage Host Range. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12146. [PMID: 36292999 PMCID: PMC9603124 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages), as natural antibacterial agents, are being rediscovered because of the growing threat of multi- and pan-drug-resistant bacterial pathogens globally. However, with an estimated 1031 phages on the planet, finding the right phage to recognize a specific bacterial host is like looking for a needle in a trillion haystacks. The host range of a phage is primarily determined by phage tail fibers (or spikes), which initially mediate reversible and specific recognition and adsorption by susceptible bacteria. Recent significant advances at single-molecule and atomic levels have begun to unravel the structural organization of tail fibers and underlying mechanisms of phage-host interactions. Here, we discuss the molecular mechanisms and models of the tail fibers of the well-characterized T4 phage's interaction with host surface receptors. Structure-function knowledge of tail fibers will pave the way for reprogramming phage host range and will bring future benefits through more-effective phage therapy in medicine. Furthermore, the design strategies of tail fiber engineering are briefly summarized, including machine-learning-assisted engineering inspired by the increasingly enormous amount of phage genetic information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarin Taslem Mourosi
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Ayobami Awe
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Wenzheng Guo
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Himanshu Batra
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Harrish Ganesh
- VCU Life Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Xiaorong Wu
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Jingen Zhu
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
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13
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Zhu J, Jain S, Sha J, Batra H, Ananthaswamy N, Kilgore PB, Hendrix EK, Hosakote YM, Wu X, Olano JP, Kayode A, Galindo CL, Banga S, Drelich A, Tat V, Tseng CTK, Chopra AK, Rao VB. A Bacteriophage-Based, Highly Efficacious, Needle- and Adjuvant-Free, Mucosal COVID-19 Vaccine. mBio 2022; 13:e0182222. [PMID: 35900097 PMCID: PMC9426593 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01822-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration-authorized mRNA- and adenovirus-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are intramuscularly injected in two doses and effective in preventing COVID-19, but they do not induce efficient mucosal immunity or prevent viral transmission. Here, we report the first noninfectious, bacteriophage T4-based, multicomponent, needle- and adjuvant-free, mucosal vaccine harboring engineered Spike trimers on capsid exterior and nucleocapsid protein in the interior. Intranasal administration of two doses of this T4 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine 21 days apart induced robust mucosal immunity, in addition to strong systemic humoral and cellular immune responses. The intranasal vaccine induced broad virus neutralization antibody titers against multiple variants, Th1-biased cytokine responses, strong CD4+ and CD8+ T cell immunity, and high secretory IgA titers in sera and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from vaccinated mice. All of these responses were much stronger in intranasally vaccinated mice than those induced by the injected vaccine. Furthermore, the nasal vaccine provided complete protection and sterilizing immunity against the mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 MA10 strain, the ancestral WA-1/2020 strain, and the most lethal Delta variant in both BALB/c and human angiotensin converting enzyme (hACE2) knock-in transgenic mouse models. In addition, the vaccine elicited virus-neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens, did not affect the gut microbiota, exhibited minimal lung lesions in vaccinated and challenged mice, and is completely stable at ambient temperature. This modular, needle-free, phage T4 mucosal vaccine delivery platform is therefore an excellent candidate for designing efficacious mucosal vaccines against other respiratory infections and for emergency preparedness against emerging epidemic and pandemic pathogens. IMPORTANCE According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 may have caused ~15-million deaths across the globe and is still ravaging the world. Another wave of ~100 million infections is predicted in the United States due to the emergence of highly transmissible immune-escaped Omicron variants. The authorized vaccines would not prevent these transmissions since they do not trigger mucosal immunity. We circumvented this limitation by developing a needle-free, bacteriophage T4-based, mucosal vaccine. This intranasally administered vaccine generates superior mucosal immunity in mice, in addition to inducing robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, and provides complete protection and sterilizing immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants. The vaccine is stable, adjuvant-free, and cost-effectively manufactured and distributed, making it a strategically important next-generation COVID vaccine for ending this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingen Zhu
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Swati Jain
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jian Sha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Himanshu Batra
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Neeti Ananthaswamy
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Paul B. Kilgore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Emily K. Hendrix
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Yashoda M. Hosakote
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Xiaorong Wu
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Juan P. Olano
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Adeyemi Kayode
- Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA
| | - Cristi L. Galindo
- Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA
| | - Simran Banga
- Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA
| | - Aleksandra Drelich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Vivian Tat
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Chien-Te K. Tseng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Ashok K. Chopra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Venigalla B. Rao
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
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14
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Rao VB, Zhu J. Bacteriophage T4 as a nanovehicle for delivery of genes and therapeutics into human cells. Curr Opin Virol 2022; 55:101255. [PMID: 35952598 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2022.101255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The ability to deliver therapeutic genes and biomolecules into a human cell and restore a defective function has been the holy grail of medicine. Adeno-associated viruses and lentiviruses have been extensively used as delivery vehicles, but their capacity is limited to one (or two) gene(s). Bacteriophages are emerging as novel vehicles for gene therapy. The large 120 × 86-nm T4 capsid allows engineering of both its surface and its interior to incorporate combinations of DNAs, RNAs, proteins, and their complexes. In vitro assembly using purified components allows customization for various applications and for individualized therapies. Its large capacity, cell-targeting capability, safety, and inexpensive manufacturing could open unprecedented new possibilities for gene, cancer, and stem cell therapies. However, efficient entry into primary human cells and intracellular trafficking are significant barriers that must be overcome by gene engineering and evolution in order to translate phage-delivery technology from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venigalla B Rao
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
| | - Jingen Zhu
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
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15
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Zhu J, Ananthaswamy N, Jain S, Batra H, Tang WC, Rao VB. CRISPR Engineering of Bacteriophage T4 to Design Vaccines Against SARS-CoV-2 and Emerging Pathogens. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2022; 2410:209-228. [PMID: 34914049 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1884-4_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic brought to the fore the urgent need for vaccine design and delivery platforms that can be rapidly deployed for manufacture and distribution. Though the mRNA and adenoviral vector platforms have been enormously successful to control SARS-CoV-2 viral infections, it is unclear if this could be replicated against more complex pathogens or the emerging variants. Recently, we described a "universal" platform that can incorporate multiple vaccine targets into the same nanoparticle scaffold by CRISPR engineering of bacteriophage T4. A T4-COVID vaccine designed with this technology elicited broad immunogenicity and complete protection against virus challenge in a mouse model. Here, we describe the detailed methodology to generate recombinant bacteriophage T4 backbones using CRISPR that can also be broadly applicable to other bacteriophages that abundantly pervade the Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingen Zhu
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Neeti Ananthaswamy
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Swati Jain
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Himanshu Batra
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Wei-Chun Tang
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Venigalla B Rao
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA.
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16
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Fakhiri J, Grimm D. Best of most possible worlds: Hybrid gene therapy vectors based on parvoviruses and heterologous viruses. Mol Ther 2021; 29:3359-3382. [PMID: 33831556 PMCID: PMC8636155 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parvoviruses and especially the adeno-associated virus (AAV) species provide an exciting and versatile platform for the rational design or molecular evolution of human gene-therapy vectors, documented by literature from over half a century, hundreds of clinical trials, and the recent commercialization of multiple AAV gene therapeutics. For the last three decades, the power of these vectors has been further potentiated through various types of hybrid vectors created by intra- or inter-genus juxtaposition of viral DNA and protein cis elements or by synergistic complementation of parvoviral features with those of heterologous, prokaryotic, or eukaryotic viruses. Here, we provide an overview of the history and promise of this rapidly expanding field of hybrid parvoviral gene-therapy vectors, starting with early generations of chimeric particles composed of a recombinant AAV genome encapsidated in shells of synthetic AAVs or of adeno-, herpes-, baculo-, or protoparvoviruses. We then dedicate our attention to two newer, highly promising types of hybrid vectors created via (1) pseudotyping of AAV genomes with bocaviral serotypes and capsid mutants or (2) packaging of AAV DNA into, or tethering of entire vector particles to, bacteriophages. Finally, we conclude with an outlook summarizing critical requirements and improvements toward clinical translation of these original concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Fakhiri
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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17
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Zhu J, Ananthaswamy N, Jain S, Batra H, Tang WC, Lewry DA, Richards ML, David SA, Kilgore PB, Sha J, Drelich A, Tseng CTK, Chopra AK, Rao VB. A universal bacteriophage T4 nanoparticle platform to design multiplex SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates by CRISPR engineering. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabh1547. [PMID: 34516878 PMCID: PMC8442874 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abh1547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A “universal” platform that can rapidly generate multiplex vaccine candidates is critically needed to control pandemics. Using the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 as a model, we have developed such a platform by CRISPR engineering of bacteriophage T4. A pipeline of vaccine candidates was engineered by incorporating various viral components into appropriate compartments of phage nanoparticle structure. These include expressible spike genes in genome, spike and envelope epitopes as surface decorations, and nucleocapsid proteins in packaged core. Phage decorated with spike trimers was found to be the most potent vaccine candidate in animal models. Without any adjuvant, this vaccine stimulated robust immune responses, both T helper cell 1 (TH1) and TH2 immunoglobulin G subclasses, blocked virus-receptor interactions, neutralized viral infection, and conferred complete protection against viral challenge. This new nanovaccine design framework might allow the rapid deployment of effective adjuvant-free phage-based vaccines against any emerging pathogen in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingen Zhu
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Neeti Ananthaswamy
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Swati Jain
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Himanshu Batra
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Wei-Chun Tang
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | | | | | | | - Paul B. Kilgore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Jian Sha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Aleksandra Drelich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Chien-Te K. Tseng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ashok K. Chopra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Venigalla B. Rao
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
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18
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Wu X, Zhu J, Tao P, Rao VB. Bacteriophage T4 Escapes CRISPR Attack by Minihomology Recombination and Repair. mBio 2021; 12:e0136121. [PMID: 34154416 PMCID: PMC8262927 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01361-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria and bacteriophages (phages) have evolved potent defense and counterdefense mechanisms that allowed their survival and greatest abundance on Earth. CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)-Cas (CRISPR-associated) is a bacterial defense system that inactivates the invading phage genome by introducing double-strand breaks at targeted sequences. While the mechanisms of CRISPR defense have been extensively investigated, the counterdefense mechanisms employed by phages are poorly understood. Here, we report a novel counterdefense mechanism by which phage T4 restores the genomes broken by CRISPR cleavages. Catalyzed by the phage-encoded recombinase UvsX, this mechanism pairs very short stretches of sequence identity (minihomology sites), as few as 3 or 4 nucleotides in the flanking regions of the cleaved site, allowing replication, repair, and stitching of genomic fragments. Consequently, a series of deletions are created at the targeted site, making the progeny genomes completely resistant to CRISPR attack. Our results demonstrate that this is a general mechanism operating against both type II (Cas9) and type V (Cas12a) CRISPR-Cas systems. These studies uncovered a new type of counterdefense mechanism evolved by T4 phage where subtle functional tuning of preexisting DNA metabolism leads to profound impact on phage survival. IMPORTANCE Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria and use them as replication factories to assemble progeny phages. Bacteria have evolved powerful defense mechanisms to destroy the invading phages by severing their genomes soon after entry into cells. We discovered a counterdefense mechanism evolved by phage T4 to stitch back the broken genomes and restore viral infection. In this process, a small amount of genetic material is deleted or another mutation is introduced, making the phage resistant to future bacterial attack. The mutant virus might also gain survival advantages against other restriction conditions or DNA damaging events. Thus, bacterial attack not only triggers counterdefenses but also provides opportunities to generate more fit phages. Such defense and counterdefense mechanisms over the millennia led to the extraordinary diversity and the greatest abundance of bacteriophages on Earth. Understanding these mechanisms will open new avenues for engineering recombinant phages for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorong Wu
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jingen Zhu
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Pan Tao
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Venigalla B. Rao
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
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19
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Wagner HJ, Weber W, Fussenegger M. Synthetic Biology: Emerging Concepts to Design and Advance Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2004018. [PMID: 33977059 PMCID: PMC8097373 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202004018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Three recent approvals and over 100 ongoing clinical trials make adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vectors the leading gene delivery vehicles in gene therapy. Pharmaceutical companies are investing in this small and nonpathogenic gene shuttle to increase the therapeutic portfolios within the coming years. This prospect of marking a new era in gene therapy has fostered both investigations of the fundamental AAV biology as well as engineering studies to enhance delivery vehicles. Driven by the high clinical potential, a new generation of synthetic-biologically engineered AAV vectors is on the rise. Concepts from synthetic biology enable the control and fine-tuning of vector function at different stages of cellular transduction and gene expression. It is anticipated that the emerging field of synthetic-biologically engineered AAV vectors can shape future gene therapeutic approaches and thus the design of tomorrow's gene delivery vectors. This review describes and discusses the recent trends in capsid and vector genome engineering, with particular emphasis on synthetic-biological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna J. Wagner
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
- Faculty of BiologyUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 1Freiburg79104Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSSUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 18Freiburg79104Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- Faculty of BiologyUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 1Freiburg79104Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSSUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 18Freiburg79104Germany
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 50Basel4056Switzerland
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20
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Briolay T, Petithomme T, Fouet M, Nguyen-Pham N, Blanquart C, Boisgerault N. Delivery of cancer therapies by synthetic and bio-inspired nanovectors. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:55. [PMID: 33761944 PMCID: PMC7987750 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01346-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a complement to the clinical development of new anticancer molecules, innovations in therapeutic vectorization aim at solving issues related to tumor specificity and associated toxicities. Nanomedicine is a rapidly evolving field that offers various solutions to increase clinical efficacy and safety. MAIN: Here are presented the recent advances for different types of nanovectors of chemical and biological nature, to identify the best suited for translational research projects. These nanovectors include different types of chemically engineered nanoparticles that now come in many different flavors of 'smart' drug delivery systems. Alternatives with enhanced biocompatibility and a better adaptability to new types of therapeutic molecules are the cell-derived extracellular vesicles and micro-organism-derived oncolytic viruses, virus-like particles and bacterial minicells. In the first part of the review, we describe their main physical, chemical and biological properties and their potential for personalized modifications. The second part focuses on presenting the recent literature on the use of the different families of nanovectors to deliver anticancer molecules for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, nucleic acid-based therapy, modulation of the tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy. CONCLUSION This review will help the readers to better appreciate the complexity of available nanovectors and to identify the most fitting "type" for efficient and specific delivery of diverse anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Briolay
- Université de Nantes, Inserm, CRCINA, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | | | - Morgane Fouet
- Université de Nantes, Inserm, CRCINA, F-44000, Nantes, France
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21
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The Versatile Manipulations of Self-Assembled Proteins in Vaccine Design. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041934. [PMID: 33669238 PMCID: PMC7919822 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein assemblies provide unique structural features which make them useful as carrier molecules in biomedical and chemical science. Protein assemblies can accommodate a variety of organic, inorganic and biological molecules such as small proteins and peptides and have been used in development of subunit vaccines via display parts of viral pathogens or antigens. Such subunit vaccines are much safer than traditional vaccines based on inactivated pathogens which are more likely to produce side-effects. Therefore, to tackle a pandemic and rapidly produce safer and more effective subunit vaccines based on protein assemblies, it is necessary to understand the basic structural features which drive protein self-assembly and functionalization of portions of pathogens. This review highlights recent developments and future perspectives in production of non-viral protein assemblies with essential structural features of subunit vaccines.
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22
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Zhu J, Ananthaswamy N, Jain S, Batra H, Tang WC, Lewry DA, Richards ML, David SA, Kilgore PB, Sha J, Drelich A, Tseng CTK, Chopra AK, Rao VB. A Universal Bacteriophage T4 Nanoparticle Platform to Design Multiplex SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Candidates by CRISPR Engineering. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.01.19.427310. [PMID: 33501450 PMCID: PMC7836120 DOI: 10.1101/2021.01.19.427310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A "universal" vaccine design platform that can rapidly generate multiplex vaccine candidates is critically needed to control future pandemics. Here, using SARS-CoV-2 pandemic virus as a model, we have developed such a platform by CRISPR engineering of bacteriophage T4. A pipeline of vaccine candidates were engineered by incorporating various viral components into appropriate compartments of phage nanoparticle structure. These include: expressible spike genes in genome, spike and envelope epitopes as surface decorations, and nucleocapsid proteins in packaged core. Phage decorated with spike trimers is found to be the most potent vaccine candidate in mouse and rabbit models. Without any adjuvant, this vaccine stimulated robust immune responses, both T H 1 and T H 2 IgG subclasses, blocked virus-receptor interactions, neutralized viral infection, and conferred complete protection against viral challenge. This new type of nanovaccine design framework might allow rapid deployment of effective phage-based vaccines against any emerging pathogen in the future.
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Paczesny J, Bielec K. Application of Bacteriophages in Nanotechnology. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E1944. [PMID: 33003494 PMCID: PMC7601235 DOI: 10.3390/nano10101944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages for short) are viruses, which have bacteria as hosts. The single phage body virion, is a colloidal particle, often possessing a dipole moment. As such, phages were used as perfectly monodisperse systems to study various physicochemical phenomena (e.g., transport or sedimentation in complex fluids), or in the material science (e.g., as scaffolds). Nevertheless, phages also execute the life cycle to multiply and produce progeny virions. Upon completion of the life cycle of phages, the host cells are usually destroyed. Natural abilities to bind to and kill bacteria were a starting point for utilizing phages in phage therapies (i.e., medical treatments that use phages to fight bacterial infections) and for bacteria detection. Numerous applications of phages became possible thanks to phage display-a method connecting the phenotype and genotype, which allows for selecting specific peptides or proteins with affinity to a given target. Here, we review the application of bacteriophages in nanoscience, emphasizing bio-related applications, material science, soft matter research, and physical chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Paczesny
- Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland;
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Fang Q, Tang WC, Tao P, Mahalingam M, Fokine A, Rossmann MG, Rao VB. Structural morphing in a symmetry-mismatched viral vertex. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1713. [PMID: 32249784 PMCID: PMC7136217 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15575-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Large biological structures are assembled from smaller, often symmetric, sub-structures. However, asymmetry among sub-structures is fundamentally important for biological function. An extreme form of asymmetry, a 12-fold-symmetric dodecameric portal complex inserted into a 5-fold-symmetric capsid vertex, is found in numerous icosahedral viruses, including tailed bacteriophages, herpesviruses, and archaeal viruses. This vertex is critical for driving capsid assembly, DNA packaging, tail attachment, and genome ejection. Here, we report the near-atomic in situ structure of the symmetry-mismatched portal vertex from bacteriophage T4. Remarkably, the local structure of portal morphs to compensate for symmetry-mismatch, forming similar interactions in different capsid environments while maintaining strict symmetry in the rest of the structure. This creates a unique and unusually dynamic symmetry-mismatched vertex that is central to building an infectious virion. In icosahedral viruses, a symmetry-mismatched portal vertex is assembled by inserting a 12-fold-symmetric portal complex into a 5-fold-symmetric capsid environment. Here, the authors report a near-atomic-resolution in situ cryo-electron microscopy structure of this symmetrically mismatched viral vertex from bacteriophage T4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianglin Fang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Wei-Chun Tang
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 20064, USA
| | - Pan Tao
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 20064, USA
| | - Marthandan Mahalingam
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 20064, USA
| | - Andrei Fokine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Michael G Rossmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Venigalla B Rao
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 20064, USA.
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Zhu J, Tao P, Mahalingam M, Rao VB. Preparation of a Bacteriophage T4-based Prokaryotic-eukaryotic Hybrid Viral Vector for Delivery of Large Cargos of Genes and Proteins into Human Cells. Bio Protoc 2020; 10:e3573. [PMID: 33659543 PMCID: PMC7842784 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A viral vector that can safely and efficiently deliver large and diverse molecular cargos into cells is the holy grail of curing many human diseases. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has been extensively used but has a very small capacity. The prokaryotic virus T4 has a large capacity but lacks natural mechanisms to enter mammalian cells. Here, we created a hybrid vector by combining T4 and AAV into one nanoparticle that possesses the advantages of both. The small 25 nm AAV particles are attached to the large 120 nm x 86 nm T4 head through avidin-biotin cross-bridges using the phage decoration proteins Soc (small outer capsid protein) and Hoc (highly antigenic outer capsid protein). AAV thus "piggy-backed" on T4 capsid, by virtue of its natural ability to enter many types of human cells efficiently acts as a "driver" to deliver large cargos associated with the T4 head. This unique T4-AAV hybrid vector approach could pave the way for the development of novel therapeutics in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingen Zhu
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Pan Tao
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Marthandan Mahalingam
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Venigalla B. Rao
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA,*For correspondence:
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