Fungus-Based Nanoparticles: Inspiration From Nature for Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Nature has long been an important source of inspiration for engineering design. Through evolution, nature produces nearly endless biological diversity. Naturally occurring nanoparticles (NONPs) have drawn increasing interest in nanomedicine owing to their unique biocompatibility, biodegradability and immunogenicity. The majority studies of NONPs have focused on higher organisms. A carnivorous fungus was recently discovered to produce nanoparticles showing promise for cancer immunochemotherapy, which is an interesting case study for bioinspired nanomedicine. Underlying principles of biological systems in nature, especially those at the nanoscale, have been, and will continue to be, an important source of inspiration for nanomedicine, not only in terms of disease understanding, but also disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. This article offers the author’s personal perspective on a class of NONPs produced by a carnivorous fungus – Arthrobotrys oligospora. The nanoparticles have demonstrated unique properties for cancer immunochemotherapy. The goal of this discussion is not to provide a final solution for this challenging disease, but rather to offer inspiration from biological systems in nature for cancer nanomedicine. By understanding how these nanoparticles are formed within this natural system and how they function, one may inspire bioinspired nanoparticles for cancer therapy. Biological systems can produce many different types of naturally occurring nanocomponents, including nanoparticles, nanofibers and nanotubes, among others [1–4]. NONPs can be easily found in air, soil, water, mineral composites and many biological systems. Some NONPs are produced by biological systems to carry out specific functions [3]. Many others are simply generated from biological systems as a result of the physical or chemical interactions of biological systems