Plant Virus Nanoparticles and Virus like Particles (VLPs): Applications in Medicine
Pp. 32-46 (15)
Mahbobeh Zamani-Babgohari, Nasir Mahmood, Ghyda Murad Hashim, Sarah Bushra Nasir, Mounir G. AbouHaidar and Kathleen L. Hefferon
Abstract
Both virus like particles (VLPs) and virus nanoparticles (VNPs) are viable
platforms for the transportation of drugs, imaging agents, immunogenic ligands and
other materials. They can be loaded with genetic material and/or drugs for therapeutic
purposes. VLPs possess multivalent molecular settings, which help stimulate various
molecular interactions for a potent immune response. VNPs are biodegradable and
biocompatible nanoparticles that occur in nature and can be modified with genetic and
chemical protocols for therapeutic purposes. There has been considerable research on
the use of different VLPs and VNPs as safe and viable platforms for vaccine
development, tumor therapy and other medical applications. The following chapter
provides insight into applications of plant VLPs and VNPs in medicine.
Keywords:
Chimeric VLP, Vaccines, Virus like particles (VLPs), Virus
nanoparticles (VNPs), Plant-derived vaccine.
Affiliation:
Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Canada.