Bacilliform CiLV-C Virus-Like Particles for Agent Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current applications of plant viruses as nanoparticles for nanotechnology, particularly for vaccine and immunotherapy platforms, are limited by the morphology and assembly mechanisms of existing 30-nm icosahedral particles, which do not fully exploit the potential of bacilliform particles like Cytoplasmic type citrus leprosis virus (CiLV-C) for diverse applications.
Innovation Solution
Production of stable CiLV-C virus-like particles (VLPs) with a unique bacilliform shape (60-70 nm × 110-120 nm) by transient expression of the CiLV-C capsid protein in Nicotiana benthamiana, forming 15.8 ± 1.3 nm icosahedral particles, which can encapsulate therapeutic or agricultural agents and are devoid of certain viral proteins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If 30-nm icosahedral plant virus particles are used as nanoparticle platforms, then vaccine and immunotherapy applications can be developed, but the morphology and assembly mechanisms are limited and do not fully exploit the potential of bacilliform particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the morphological parameter of the virus-like particles from the conventional 30-nm icosahedral shape to a bacilliform shape with dimensions of 60-70 nm × 110-120 nm. This parameter change enables the particles to exploit their unique shape for diverse applications including vaccine platforms, immunotherapy, and nanotechnology, thereby resolving the contradiction between application versatility and morphological limitation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the viral genome into two separate RNA segments (RNA1 and RNA2), with RNA1 encoding the capsid protein and RNA2 encoding structural and non-structural proteins. This segmentation allows for independent optimization of the capsid assembly and functional proteins, enabling the formation of stable bacilliform VLPs with customized properties for various applications
2Reliability
If native CiLV-C virions are produced with their complete protein set, then stable particles are formed, but the assembly is influenced by other viral proteins and the packaged genome, limiting customization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes specific viral proteins (p61 glycoprotein and integral membrane protein p24) from the complete viral particle composition. By taking out these proteins, the patent creates simplified VLPs that maintain stability while reducing complexity, allowing for customized particle design without the constraints of complete viral protein sets
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs partial action by including only the essential proteins needed for VLP formation and function, rather than all viral proteins. The VLPs are constructed with the capsid protein and selected structural proteins, omitting non-essential proteins like p61 and p24, thereby achieving sufficient stability with reduced complexity for therapeutic and diagnostic applications
Data Source
AI summary
A nanoparticle comprising a cytoplasmic type citrus leprosis virus-like particle (CiLV-C) p29 protein coat and an optional agent encapsulated with the protein coat is provided herein. The nanoparticles are useful for the delivery of the agents to cells or tissues.