Self-assembled HCV core virus-like particles targeted and inhibited tumor cell migration and invasion.
We used a baculovirus expression system to express fusion proteins of HCV core, RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptide, and IFN-α2a fragments in Sf9 cells. Western blotting and electron microscopy demonstrate that HCV core, peptides RGD, and IFN-α2a fusion proteins assemble into 30 to 40 nm nano-particles (virus-like particles, VLPs). Xenograft assays show that VLPs greatly reduced tumor volume and weight with regard to a nontreated xenograft. Migration and invasion results show that VLPs can inhibit the migration and invasion of the breast cancer cells MDA-MB231. This study will provide theoretical and experimental basis for the establishment of safe and effective tumor-targeted drug delivery systems and clinical application of VLPs carrying cell interacting cargo.
Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, People's Republic of China. yhx2018@yahoo.com.
Xiang
X
Li
Xuehe
X
Xu
Aihui
A
Jin
Qunying
Q
Jia
Huaibin
H
Zhou
Shuai
S
Kang
Yongliang
Y
Lou
Jimin
J
Gao
Jianxin
J
Lu