Vault particles: a new generation of delivery nanodevices

Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2012 Dec;23(6):972-7. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2012.05.004. Epub 2012 Jun 6.

Abstract

Vault particles possess many attributes that can be exploited in nanobiotechnology, particularly in the creation of drug delivery nanodevices. These include self-assembly, 100 nm size range, a dynamic structure that may be controlled for manipulation of drug release kinetics and natural presence in humans ensuring biocompatibility. The flexibility and the adaptability of this system have been greatly enhanced by the emerging atomic-level information and improved comprehension of vault structure and dynamics. It seems likely that this information will allow their specific tailoring to the individual requirements of each drug and target tissue. These properties provide vaults with an enormous potential as a versatile delivery platform.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / metabolism
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Humans
  • Nanomedicine / methods
  • Organ Specificity
  • Vault Ribonucleoprotein Particles / chemistry*
  • Vault Ribonucleoprotein Particles / metabolism*
  • Vault Ribonucleoprotein Particles / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Vault Ribonucleoprotein Particles