Abstract
Aims: Next-generation targeted nanodevices are currently under development for imaging and therapeutic applications. We engineered HK97 viral nanoparticles (VNPs) for tumor cell-specific targeting. Methods: A combination of genetic and chemical engineering methods were developed and applied to generate dual-labeled HK97 cysteine mutant particles displaying transferrin and fluorescent labels. The targeting properties of transferrin-conjugated VNPs were evaluated by in vitro experiments using different cancer cell lines. Results: We found that HK97–tranferrin formulations were indeed targeted to cancer cells in vitro via the transferrin receptor. These studies highlight the utility and facilitate the further development of HK97-based VNPs.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
This work was funded by an American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship (to Nicole F Steinmetz), NIH grants K99EB009105 (to Nicole F Steinmetz), R01CA112075 (to Marianne Manchester) and 2R01-AI40101 (John E Johnson). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.