Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles Combined with CRISPR/Cas9 System Enable Efficient Inhibition of Pseudorabies Virus

Bioconjug Chem. 2023 Feb 15;34(2):326-332. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00570. Epub 2023 Jan 11.

Abstract

We describe an application where graphene oxide nanoparticles (GONs) enable combined inhibition of Pseudorabies Virus (PRV) through delivery of a CRISPR/Cas9 system for targeted cleaving of a PRV genome and direct interaction with viral particles. The sheeted GONs could load CRISPR plasmid DNA (pDNA) to form a small sized, near-spheroidal GONs-CRISPR complex, which enables CRISPR pDNA efficient intracellular delivery and transient expression under serum conditions. Cell studies showed that GONs-CRISPR could allow rapid cellular uptake, endolysosomes escape, and nucleus transport within 3 h. Virus studies demonstrated that the pure GONs have antiviral activity and GONs-CRISPR could significantly inhibit PRV replication and result in progeny PRV decreasing by approximately 4000 times in infected host cells. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging showed that GONs-CRISPR could destroy the PRV structures by directly interacting with viral particles. This GONs-based strategy may extend the advanced application of the CRISPR system for antiviral action.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 1, Suid* / genetics
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • graphene oxide
  • Antiviral Agents