Nanoparticle approaches against SARS-CoV-2 infection

Yaou Duan; Shuyan Wang; Qiangzhe Zhang; Weiwei Gao; Liangfang Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.cossms.2021.100964

Nanoparticle approaches against SARS-CoV-2 infection

Curr Opin Solid State Mater Sci. 2021 Dec;25(6):100964. doi: 10.1016/j.cossms.2021.100964. Epub 2021 Oct 25.

Authors

Yaou Duan¹, Shuyan Wang¹, Qiangzhe Zhang¹, Weiwei Gao¹, Liangfang Zhang¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of NanoEngineering, Chemical Engineering Program, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the highly contagious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become the worst pandemic disease of the current millennium. To address this crisis, therapeutic nanoparticles, including inorganic nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, virus-like nanoparticles, and cell membrane-coated nanoparticles, have all offered compelling antiviral strategies. This article reviews these strategies in three categories: (1) nanoparticle-enabled detection of SARS-CoV-2, (2) nanoparticle-based treatment for COVID-19, and (3) nanoparticle vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. We discuss how nanoparticles are tailor-made to biointerface with the host and the virus in each category. For each nanoparticle design, we highlight its structure-function relationship that enables effective antiviral activity. Overall, nanoparticles bring numerous new opportunities to improve our response to the current COVID-19 pandemic and enhance our preparedness for future viral outbreaks.

Keywords: COVID-19; Nanoparticle; Nanotechnology; SARS-CoV-2; Viral pandemic.