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Published on: February 5, 2019
Gold nanoparticles combat enveloped RNA virus by affecting organelle dynamics
Fangzhou Li1, Qianqian Huang1,2, Ziran Zhou1,2
1CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, No. 11, First North Road, Zhongguancun, 100190, Beijing, P. R. China.
Positively charged gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) disrupt cell organelles and exhibit antiviral effects against enveloped RNA viruses like lentivirus and human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43). These AuNPs show potential for targeting organelle dynamics for antiviral therapies.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials science
- Virology
- Cell biology
Background:
- Enveloped RNA viruses utilize host cell machinery for replication.
- Nanomaterials, like gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), can interact with and potentially disrupt host-virus interactions.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing novel antiviral strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of AuNPs with varying surface charges on mammalian cell subcellular structures.
- To evaluate the antiviral potential of AuNPs against lentivirus and human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43).
- To explore the mechanism of AuNP action against enveloped RNA viruses.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of mammalian cells with AuNPs of different surface charges (positive, neutral, negative).
- Microscopic analysis of subcellular structures, focusing on lysosomes and the cytoskeleton.
- Assessment of antiviral activity against lentivirus and HCoV-OC43.
Main Results:
- Positively charged AuNPs caused significant disruption of lysosomes and cytoskeletal integrity compared to neutral and negatively charged AuNPs.
- AuNPs demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on both lentivirus and HCoV-OC43 replication.
- No obvious side effects were observed in the treated cells.
Conclusions:
- Surface charge is a critical factor in AuNP-induced subcellular disruption.
- AuNPs targeting organelle dynamics show promise as a strategy against enveloped RNA viruses.
- AuNPs possess potential as biocompatible antiviral agents.
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