Application of Plant Viruses in Biotechnology, Medicine, and Human Health

Plant-based nanotechnology programs using virus-like particles (VLPs) and virus nanoparticles (VNPs) are emerging platforms that are increasingly used for a variety of applications in biotechnology and medicine. Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and potato virus X (PVX), by virtue of having high aspect ratios, make ideal platforms for drug delivery. TMV and PVX both possess rod-shaped structures and single-stranded RNA genomes encapsidated by their respective capsid proteins and have shown great promise as drug delivery systems. Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) has an icosahedral structure, and thus brings unique benefits as a nanoparticle. The uses of these three plant viruses as either nanostructures or expression vectors for high value pharmaceutical proteins such as vaccines and antibodies are discussed extensively in the following review. In addition, the potential uses of geminiviruses in medical biotechnology are explored. The uses of these expression vectors in plant biotechnology applications are also discussed. Finally, in this review, we project future prospects for plant viruses in the fields of medicine, human health, prophylaxis, and therapy of human diseases.

Automated summary

Plant-based nanotechnology programs using virus-like particles (VLPs) and virus nanoparticles (VNPs) are versatile platforms increasingly employed in biotechnology and medicine. Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and potato virus X (PVX) with their high aspect ratios are ideal for drug delivery, while cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) offers unique benefits with its icosahedral structure. These plant viruses show great promise as drug delivery systems and for expressing high value pharmaceutical proteins.