Ferritin nanoparticle technology

Abstract

We developed a ferritin nanoparticle-based technology platform for presenting peptide antigens in vaccine research. As a demonstration, an HIV-1 Tat peptide was engineered to the amino terminus of ferritin and expressed as a fusion protein in E. coli. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed proper capsid assembly. Animal studies demonstrated that this chimerical nanoparticle is able to elicit a potent humoral response.