ANNOUNCEMENTS
Targeted nano-delivery vehicle was developed from genetically modified Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) capsid by ligands bioconjugation for efficient drug delivery in cancer cells. A part of N- terminus region; RNA binding (1-25aa) and β-hexamer forming ( 27-41aa) domain of capsid were selectively truncated by genetic engineering to achieve the efficient in vitro assembly without natural cargo. The two variants of capsids generated by truncating 41 and 26 amino acid from N terminus (NΔ41 and NΔ26) were designated as F1 and F2 respectively. These capsid variants were optimally self-assembled in 1:2 molar ratio (F1:F2) to form a monodisperse nano-scaffold of size 28 nm along with chemically conjugated modalities for visualization (fluorescent dye), targeting (folic acid, FA) and anticancer drug (doxorubicin) using EDC-NHS (1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide/ N-hydroxysuccinimide) chemistry. The cavity of the nano-scaffold was packed with doxorubicin conjugated gold nanoparticles (10 nm) to enhance drug loading and sustained release of drug. The chimeric drug delivery system was stable at pH range of 4–8. This chimeric nano-scaffold system showed highly specific receptor mediated internalization (targeting) and higher cytotoxicity (with respect to FA deficit delivery system) to folate receptor positive Michigan Cancer Foundation 7 (MCF7) cell line. The present system may offer a programmable nano-scaffold based platform for developing chemotherapeutics for cancer
Shodhganga Link
