Use of parvovirus B19-like particles in self-illuminated photodynamic therapy for solid tumors

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology Biology, 2024-09, Vol.258, p.112979, Article 112979
• Main Authors: Jiménez-Chávez, Ángel de Jesús, Moreno-Fierros, Leticia, Cayetano-Cruz, Maribel, Romero-Romero, Laura Patricia, Bustos-Jaimes, Ismael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; bioluminescence; Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET); Cancer; Cell Line, Tumor; energy transfer; Female; Humans; irradiation; luciferase; Luciferases, Firefly - metabolism; lymph; metastasis; Mice; neoplasms; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Parvovirus B19, Human - chemistry; Parvovirus B19, Human - drug effects; photobiology; photochemistry; Photochemotherapy; Photodynamic Therapy; Photosensitizer; photosensitizing agents; Photosensitizing Agents - chemistry; Photosensitizing Agents - pharmacology; Photosensitizing Agents - therapeutic use; Rose Bengal - chemistry; Rose Bengal - pharmacology; Rose Bengal - therapeutic use; singlet oxygen; Singlet Oxygen - metabolism; spleen; viability; Virus-Like Particles
• ISSN: 1011-1344; 1873-2682; 1873-2682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2024.112979

Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer photodynamic therapy, which uses light generated by bioluminescent proteins to activate photosensitizers and produce reactive oxygen species without the need for external irradiation, has shown promising results in cancer models. However, the characterization of delivery systems that can incorporate the components of this therapy for preferential delivery to the tumor remains necessary. In this work, we have characterized parvovirus B19-like particles (B19V-VLPs) as a platform for a photosensitizer and a bioluminescent protein. By chemical and biorthogonal conjugation, we conjugated rose Bengal photosensitizer and firefly luciferase to B19V-VLPs and a protein for added specificity. The results showed that B19V-VLPs can withstand decoration with all three components without affecting its structure or stability. The conjugated luciferase showed activity and was able to activate rose Bengal to produce singlet oxygen without the need for external light. The photodynamic reaction generated by the functionalized VLPs-B19 can decrease the viability of tumor cells in vitro and affect tumor growth and metastasis in the 4 T1 model. Treatment with functionalized VLPs-B19 also increased the percentage of CD4 and CD8 cell populations in the spleen and in inguinal lymph nodes compared to vehicle-treated mice. Our results support B19V-VLPs as a delivery platform for bioluminescent photodynamic therapy components to solid tumors. [Display omitted] •B19-VLPs can be functionalized with Rose Bengal, luciferase, and a targeting protein.•Functionalized VLPs can produce singlet oxygen after substrate addition.•Functionalized VLPs affect tumor growth and lung metastasis in 4 T1 model.