Our group has constructed a new type of viral nanoparticles (VNPs) from genome-depleted plant infecting
brome mosaic virus (BMV) that encapsulates the FDA-approved near infrared (NIR) indocyanine green (ICG)[1]. We
refer to these VNPs as optical viral ghosts (OVGs) since the constructs lack the genomic content of wild-type BMV. One
of our areas of interest is the application of OVGs for real-time intraoperative NIR fluorescence imaging of small
peritoneal ovarian tumor nodules. We target human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) expression in ovarian
cancer as a biomarker associated with ovarian cancer, since its over-expression is linked to the disease’s progression to
death. We functionalize the OVGs with anti-HER-2 monoclonal antibodies using reductive amination methods. We used
fluorescence imaging to visualize the SKOV-3 cells (high HER-2 expression) after incubation with free ICG, OVGs, and
functionalized OVGs. Our results suggest the possibility of using anti-HER2 conjugated OVGs in conjunction with
cytoreductive surgery to detect small tumor nodules (<5cm) which currently are not excised during surgery.
Indocyanine green (ICG) is an FDA approved near infrared dye used in assessment of hepatic function and
ophthalmological vascular imaging. However, given the rapid clearance of ICG from the blood stream, its
imaging and phototherapeutic applications remain very limited. As a potential method to increase
circulation time of ICG, and extend its clinical applications, we have encapsulated ICG within polymeric
based nanoconstructs whose surface can be coated with various materials including polyethylene glycol
(PEG). To gain an understanding of the interaction between ICG-containing nanocapsules (ICG-NCs) and
vascular cells, we are characterizing the uptake of the nanocapsules coated with various materials by
human peripheral blood monocytes and human spleen macrophages using fluorescence microscopy.
Results of these studies will be useful in identifying the appropriate coating material that will result in
increased circulation time of ICG-NCs within the vasculature.
Fluorescent molecular probes offer a potential for early cancer detection. Indocyanine green (ICG) is an FDAapproved
near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent dye used in ophthalmic angiography and assessment of cardiac and
hepatic functions. However, clinical applications of ICG remain very limited due to its rapid clearance from
vascular circulation, unstable optical properties, non-specific interactions with plasma proteins, and inability
for localized targeting. To overcome these limitations, we have encapsulated ICG within nanoconstructs
composed of poly(allylamine) hydrochloride and disodium hydrogen phosphate salt. To understand the effects
of coating materials on the cellular uptake of the nanocapsules, we have measured the uptake of ICG-loaded
nanocapsules (ICG-NCs) with various coating materials by HeLa cancerous cervical epithelial cells in-vitro.
Results of this study provide important information for the choice of appropriate coating materials that will
result in maximal uptake of ICG-NCs in optical and phototherapy of cancerous tissue.
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