Fig. 12

A Different strategies used by virus-like particles (VLPs) to carry cargo molecules: i self-assembly around cargo, ii cargo infusion, iii genetic engineering, and iv bioconjugation on VLP surface. Reprinted from [274] with permission from Elsevier. B The use of VLP as a gene delivery system: i the virus-mimicking vector Zn-PCED (containing zinc, PC1, PC2, and PC3 polymers, ε-polylysine and 2,2′-dipicolylamine) condenses DNA to form a polyplex mimicking viral structures and functions. The high affinity between the Zn coordinative residue and the cell membrane and the lipopeptide shell, facilitates cellular uptake of the polyplex, thereby contributing to high “infectivity”. DNA release is achieved by glutathione-triggered disulfide cleavage once they are relocated into the cytoplasm. ii Endosomal escape of PCE/Cy3-DNA and Zn-PCED/Cy3-DNA polyplexes in HeLa cells (Cy3 is a greenish-yellow fluorescent dye). Reprinted from [286] with permission from the American Chemical Society