Treffer: Optimizing the Stability of Viral Nanoparticles: Engineering Strategies, Applications, and the Emerging Concept of the Virophore.

Title:
Optimizing the Stability of Viral Nanoparticles: Engineering Strategies, Applications, and the Emerging Concept of the Virophore.
Authors:
Wu Z; Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, California 92093, United States.; Shu and K.C. Chien and Peter Farrell Collaboratory, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, California 92093, United States., Bayon JL; Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, California 92093, United States.; Shu and K.C. Chien and Peter Farrell Collaboratory, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, California 92093, United States., Ogilvie CJ; Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States., Craig SL; Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States., Steinmetz NF; Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, California 92093, United States.; Shu and K.C. Chien and Peter Farrell Collaboratory, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, California 92093, United States.; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, California 92093, United States.; Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, California 92093, United States.; Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, California 92093, United States.; Center for Engineering in Cancer, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, California 92093, United States.; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, California 92093, United States.; Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, California 92093, United States.
Source:
Journal of the American Chemical Society [J Am Chem Soc] 2026 Jan 21; Vol. 148 (2), pp. 2081-2095. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jan 08.
Publication Type:
Journal Article; Review
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: American Chemical Society Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 7503056 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1520-5126 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00027863 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Am Chem Soc Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Publication: Washington, DC : American Chemical Society
Original Publication: Easton, Pa. [etc.]
MeSH Terms:
Nanoparticles*/chemistry , Bioengineering*/methods, Bacteriophages ; Plant Viruses
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20260108 Date Completed: 20260121 Latest Revision: 20260122
Update Code:
20260122
DOI:
10.1021/jacs.5c15092
PMID:
41505264
Database:
MEDLINE

Weitere Informationen

Nanoparticles derived from plant viruses and bacteriophages are self-assembling structures that can be functionalized for broad applications in drug delivery, vaccine formulation, and imaging, as well as the engineering of nanomaterials, and nanoscale templating. Their capacity for precise chemical and genetic modification makes them versatile, but their functional potential may be limited by insufficient or poorly controlled structural stability. In this perspectives article, we assess recent advances in stability optimization to improve the functionality of virus-based nanoparticles and derived materials, considering engineering strategies that target the external and internal surfaces, as well as the interfaces between coat protein subunits. We look at approaches such as site-specific bioconjugation, reversible and permanent cross-linking, polymer endoskeleton reinforcement, metal ion coordination, and protective core-shell architectures, which can be used to tailor particle stability for harsh biological environments, or create particles with responsive stability profiles allowing smart delivery systems to release cargo when exposed to triggers such as pH, redox potential, illumination, or mechanical stress. We propose the concept of the virophore: a genetically or chemically encoded functional unit integrated into the structure of a virus particle that acts as a programmable structural switch, enabling reversible, triggerable reconfiguration in response to defined stimuli. We argue that embracing virophore design will expand the capabilities of virus-based nanomaterials beyond passive durability, facilitating adaptive, intelligent behavior. This will support applications such as programmable drug release, biosensors, and dynamic material systems.