Biodistribution and toxicity evaluation of sesbania mosaic virus nanoparticles in mice.

Abstract

Sesbania mosaic virus (SeMV), a 30-nm spherical plant sobemovirus, is suitable for developing functionalized nanoparticles for biomedical applications. However, the in vivo behavior of SeMV and the clinical impact following its delivery via the oral or intravenous route are not known. To address this question, we examined the biodistribution, toxicity and histopathological changes in SeMV treated mice. No toxic effects were observed in mice administered high doses (100mg and 200mg per kg body weight orally or 40mg and 80mg per kg body weight intravenously) of SeMV, and they were found to be normal. Analysis of fecal sample showed that SeMV was cleared in 16h when 20mg of the virus per kg body weight was administered orally. RT-PCR analysis of blood samples showed that SeMV was present up to 72h in mice inoculated either intravenously (8mg/kg body weight) or orally (20mg/kg body weight). Further, SeMV was found to be localized up to 72h in spleen and liver tissues of intravenously inoculated mice only. Biochemical and hematological parameters were found to be normal at 6 and 72h after administration of SeMV. Furthermore, no noticeable changes were observed in histological sections of brain, liver, spleen, lungs and kidney tissue samples collected at 6 and 72h from SeMVadministered mice when compared to control mice. Thus, SeMV appears to be a safe and non-toxic platform that can be tailored as a nanocarrier for in vivo biomedical applications.