Engineered Biological Entities for Drug Delivery and Gene Therapy

Abstract

The development of genetic engineering techniques has speeded up the growth of the biotechnological industry, resulting in a significant increase in the number of recombinant protein products on the market. The deep knowledge of protein function, structure, biological interactions, and the possibility to design new polypeptides with desired biological activities have been the main factors involved in the increase of intensive research and preclinical and clinical approaches. Consequently, new biological entities with added value for innovative medicines such as increased stability, improved targeting, and reduced toxicity, among others have been obtained. Proteins are complex nanoparticles with sizes ranging from a few nanometers to a few hundred nanometers when complex supramolecular interactions occur, as for example, in viral capsids. However, even though protein production is a delicate process that imposes the use of sophisticated analytical methods and negative secondary effects have been detected in some cases as immune and inflammatory reactions, the great potential of biodegradable and tunable protein nanoparticles indicates that protein-based biotechnological products are expected to increase in the years to come.

Random mutagenesis of amelogenin for engineering protein nanoparticles

“…For instance, by introducing functional amino acid residues by site-directed or random mutagenesis, charged or hydrophobic moieties can be inserted at a desired location [Domingo-Espin et al, 2011;Frandsen and Ghandehari, 2012;Maham et al, 2009]. NPs can be generated from a plethora of starting materials including e.g., metals, lipids, as well as chemical and biological polymers.…”

“…NPs made from self-assembling recombinant proteins show excellent potential for nanomedical applications, due to their homogeneity and the ease by which they can be modified to obtain new advanced functionalities. For instance, by introducing functional amino acid residues by site-directed or random mutagenesis, charged or hydrophobic moieties can be inserted at a desired location [Domingo-Espin et al, 2011;Frandsen and Ghandehari, 2012;Maham et al, 2009]. New functionalities can also be added by gene fusion, e.g., to include cell/tissue targeting or improved cellular uptake.…”

Is it possible to ensure COVID19 vaccine supply by using plants?

“…VLPs are the self-assembling, non-replicative, non-pathogenic supramolecular particles used to target specific host and drug delivery system [ 7 ]. Literally VLPs have a very wide sense of application i.e., any acellular body which have similarity with viruses can be grouped under VLPs.…”

Liver-specific Gene Delivery Using Engineered Virus-Like Particles of Hepatitis E Virus

“…However, there are some limitations in their therapeutic application: the complexity of production, limited capacity for packaging, and the possibility of insertional mutagenesis or gene inactivation. Also, repeated administration and expression over time would reduce their therapeutic efficiency 10 . Hence, many researchers have been trying to improve gene delivery systems to complement current methods.…”