Surface Cross-Linking by Macromolecular Tethers Enhances Virus-like Particles' Resilience to Mucosal Stress Factors.

ABSTRACT: Virus-like particles (VLPs) are emerging as nanoscaffolds in a variety of biomedical applications including delivery of vaccine antigens and cargo such as mRNA to mucosal surfaces. These soft, colloidal, and proteinaceous structures (capsids) are nevertheless susceptible to mucosal environmental stress factors. We cross-linked multiple capsid surface amino acid residues using homobifunctional polyethylene glycol tethers to improve the persistence and survival of the capsid to model mucosal stressors. Surface cross-linking enhanced the stability of VLPs assembled from Acinetobacter phage AP205 coat proteins in low pH (down to pH 4.0) and high protease concentration conditions (namely, in pig and mouse gastric fluids). Additionally, it increased the stiffness of VLPs under local mecha

SUBMITTER: Ali A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10832050 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature