Institute for Combinatorial Advanced Research & Education, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka.
Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, UK.
Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj. 2022 Feb;1866(2):130067. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.130067. Epub 2021 Dec 8.
The ideal nanoparticle should be able to encapsulate either pharmaceutical agents or imaging probes so that it could treat or image clinical tumours by targeting the cancer site efficiently. Further, it would be an added advantage if it demonstrates: small size, built in targeting, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Ferritin, which is an endogenous self-assembling protein, stores iron and plays a role in iron homeostasis. When iron atoms are removed apoferritin (AFt) is formed which consists of a hollow shell where it can be used to load guest molecules. Due to its unique architecture, AFt has been investigated as a versatile carrier for tumour theranostic applications. DNA-binding protein from starved cells (Dps), which also belongs to the ferritin family, is a protein found only in prokaryotes. It is used to store iron and protect chromosomes from oxidative damage; because of its architecture, Dps could also be used as a delivery vehicle.
Both these nano particles are promising in the field of oncology, especially due to their stability, solubility and biocompatibility features. Further their exterior surface can be modified for better tumour-targeting ability. More studies, are warranted to determine the immunogenicity, biodistribution, and clearance from the body.
This review discusses a few selected examples of the remarkable in vitro and in vivo studies that have been carried out in the recent past with the use of AFt and Dps in targeting and delivery of various pharmaceutical agents, natural products and imaging probes in the field of oncology.
理想的纳米颗粒应该能够包裹药物制剂或成像探针，以便通过有效地靶向癌症部位来治疗或成像临床肿瘤。此外，如果它还具有以下特点，那将是一个额外的优势：体积小、内置靶向性、生物相容性和可生物降解性。铁蛋白是一种内源性自组装蛋白，它储存铁并在铁稳态中发挥作用。当铁原子被去除时，形成脱铁铁蛋白（AFt），它由一个可以用来装载客体分子的空心壳组成。由于其独特的结构，AFt 已被研究作为肿瘤治疗诊断应用的多功能载体。饥饿细胞中的 DNA 结合蛋白（Dps）也属于铁蛋白家族，是一种仅在原核生物中发现的蛋白质。它用于储存铁并保护染色体免受氧化损伤；由于其结构，Dps 也可以用作递送载体。
这两种纳米颗粒在肿瘤学领域都很有前途，特别是由于它们的稳定性、溶解性和生物相容性。此外，它们的外表面可以进行修饰，以提高对肿瘤的靶向能力。需要进一步的研究来确定它们的免疫原性、生物分布和从体内清除情况。
本文综述了最近在使用 AFt 和 Dps 靶向和递送各种药物制剂、天然产物和成像探针方面进行的一些具有代表性的体外和体内研究，这些研究在肿瘤学领域取得了显著进展。
