title: Protein delivery using engineered virus-like particles.
abstract: Over the years, researchers have developed several methods to deliver macromolecules into the cytosol and nucleus of living cells. However, there are limitations to all of these methods. The problems include (i) inefficient uptake, (ii) endosomal entrapment, (iii) delivery that is restricted to certain cell types, and (iv) damage to cells in the delivery process. Retroviral vectors are often used for gene delivery; however, integration of the genome of retroviral vector into the host genome can have serious consequences. Here we describe a safe alternative in which virus-like particles (VLPs), derived from an avian retrovirus, are used to deliver protein to cells. We show that these VLPs are a highly adaptable platform that can be used to deliver proteins either as part of Gag fusion proteins (intracellular delivery) or on the surface of VLPs. We generated VLPs that contain Gag-Cre recombinase, Gag-Fcy::Fur, and Gag-human caspase-8 as a proof-of-concept and demonstrated that the encapsidated proteins are active in recipient cells. In addition, we show that murine IFN-γ and human TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand can be displayed on the surface of VLPs, and that these modified VLPs can cause the appropriate response in cells, as evidenced by phosphorylation of STAT1 and induction of cell death, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Protein Expression Laboratory, Advanced Technology Program, Science Applications International Corporation-Frederick, Inc, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
authors.forename: Stanislaw J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kaczmarczyk
authors.forename: Kalavathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sitaraman
authors.forename: Howard A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Stephen H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Deb K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D004274:DNA, Recombinant / Q000235:genetics; D015750:Genes, gag; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics*; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000235:genetics; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D058425:Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; C505653:TNFSF10 protein, human; D058425:Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle; D007371:Interferon-gamma