Artificial virus-like particles can be used to improve human health
(Nanowerk News) International researchers have built artificial virus-like particles capable of entering human cells to perform tasks such as gene editing. In a proof of concept study, the team used a type of virus that infects bacteria to devise a method of building an artificial viral vector, or AVV, that has a large internal space to carry material, and a large surface area to program and deliver biomolecules. .
AVV successfully delivered a full-length dystrophin gene into human cells in the laboratory and performed various molecular operations to reshuffle the human genome. While more work needs to be done to assess its safety, the team says this technology could be used in the clinic to treat many human diseases and disorders in the future.
A method of constructing artificial virus-like vectors capable of entering human cells to perform specific tasks, such as gene editing, is reported in Nature Communications (“Design of T4 bacteriophage-based artificial viral vectors for human genome remodeling”). This high-capacity, adaptable nanomaterial could be a promising future candidate for gene therapy and personalized medicine.
Viruses are efficient biological machines capable of rapidly replicating and recreating offspring. Natural human viruses, such as lentiviruses, have previously been engineered to deliver therapeutic DNA or RNA in animals, but these have limited delivery capabilities and some safety concerns. Harnessing viral mechanisms by building artificial viral vectors programmed with therapeutic molecules can perform useful repairs to help restore human health.
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Venigalla Rao and colleagues devised a method of building an artificial viral vector (AVV) using a type of virus that infects bacteria called bacteriophage T4. These AVVs have a large internal volume and large external surface to program and deliver therapeutic biomolecules. In a proof-of-concept experiment, the authors generated AVVs containing protein and nucleic acid payloads to demonstrate their use in genome engineering.
The platform successfully delivered the full-length dystrophin gene into human cells in the laboratory and performed various molecular operations to reshuffle the human genome. In addition, AVV can be produced inexpensively, with high yields, and the nanomaterials are found to be stable for several months.
Although further work needs to be done to assess its safety, this method holds promise for future use in the clinic to treat many human diseases and rare disorders, the authors conclude.
