Virus-like nanoparticles as enzyme carriers for Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT)

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanomedicine
• Enzymology

Background:

• Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) addresses diseases caused by deficient enzyme activity.
• Exogenous enzymes are currently used to compensate for enzymatic deficiencies.
• Existing ERT methods face challenges that novel delivery systems aim to overcome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the production and functionalization of virus-based enzymatic nanoreactors.
• To explore the potential of virus-like particles (VLPs) as nanoreactors for ERT.
• To discuss applications of VLP-based nanoreactors in treating genetic disorders.

Main Methods:

• Encapsulation of therapeutic enzymes within virus-like particles (VLPs).
• Review of VLP production processes and functionalization techniques.
• Analysis of VLP characteristics as nanodelivery vehicles.

Main Results:

• VLPs serve as biodegradable, porous nanostructures for enzyme delivery.
• VLP encapsulation protects enzymes while maintaining bioactivity.
• Significant advancements in VLP-based nanoreactor production have been achieved.

Conclusions:

• Virus-based enzymatic nanoreactors represent a promising alternative for ERT.
• VLP nanoreactors show potential for treating lysosomal storage diseases like Gaucher, Fabry, Pompe, galactosemia, Hurler, and Hunter syndromes.
• Further development in VLP production and functionalization is crucial for clinical translation.