scholarly journals Nanotechnology-Based Strategies to Overcome Current Barriers in Gene Delivery

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 8537
Author(s):  
Sofía Mirón-Barroso ◽  
Elena B. Domènech ◽  
Sonia Trigueros

Nanomaterials are currently being developed for the specific cell/tissue/organ delivery of genetic material. Nanomaterials are considered as non-viral vectors for gene therapy use. However, there are several requirements for developing a device small enough to become an efficient gene-delivery tool. Considering that the non-viral vectors tested so far show very low efficiency of gene delivery, there is a need to develop nanotechnology-based strategies to overcome current barriers in gene delivery. Selected nanostructures can incorporate several genetic materials, such as plasmid DNA, mRNA, and siRNA. In the field of nanotechnologies, there are still some limitations yet to be resolved for their use as gene delivery systems, such as potential toxicity and low transfection efficiency. Undeniably, novel properties at the nanoscale are essential to overcome these limitations. In this paper, we will explore the latest advances in nanotechnology in the gene delivery field.

1970 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-27
Author(s):  
Md Manjurul Karim

The concept of gene therapy involves the transfer of genetic material into a cell, tissue, or whole organ, with a view to curing a disease or at least improving the clinical status of a patient. Much of its success relies heavily on the development of an effective delivery system that is capable of efficient gene transfer in a variety of tissues, without causing any associated pathogenic effects. Viral vectors currently offer the best choice for efficient gene delivery, what has been discussed in this review article. Their performance and pathogenecity has been evaluated in animal models, and encouraging results form the basis for clinical trials to treat genetic disorders and acquired diseases. Despite some initial success in these trials, vector development remains a seminal concern for improved gene therapy technologies. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/akmmcj.v3i1.10110 AKMMCJ 2012; 3(1): 24-27


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando A. de Oliveira ◽  
Lindomar J. C. Albuquerque ◽  
Gwendoline Delecourt ◽  
Véronique Bennevault ◽  
Philippe Guégan ◽  
...  

Background: Gene delivery is a promising technology for treating diseases linked to abnormal gene expression. Since nucleic acids are the therapeutic entities in such approach, a transfecting vector is required because the macromolecules are not able to efficiently enter the cells by themselves. Viral vectors have been evidenced to be highly effective in this context; however, they suffer from fundamental drawbacks, such as the ability to stimulate immune responses. The development of synthetic vectors has accordingly emerged as an alternative. Objectives: Gene delivery by using non-viral vectors is a multi-step process that poses many challenges, either regarding the extracellular or intracellular media. We explore the delivery pathway and afterwards, we review the main classes of non-viral gene delivery vectors. We further focus on the progresses concerning polyethylenimine-based polymer-nucleic acid polyplexes, which have emerged as one of the most efficient systems for delivering genetic material inside the cells. Discussion: The complexity of the whole transfection pathway, along with a lack of fundamental understanding, particularly regarding the intracellular trafficking of nucleic acids complexed to non-viral vectors, probably justifies the current (beginning of 2021) limited number of formulations that have progressed to clinical trials. Truly, successful medical developments still require a lot of basic research. Conclusion: Advances in macromolecular chemistry and high-resolution imaging techniques will be useful to understand fundamental aspects towards further optimizations and future applications. More investigations concerning the dynamics, thermodynamics and structural parameters of polyplexes would be valuable since they can be connected to the different levels of transfection efficiency hitherto evidenced.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 698-710
Author(s):  
Roya Cheraghi ◽  
Mahboobeh Nazari ◽  
Mohsen Alipour ◽  
Saman Hosseinkhani

Gene-based therapy largely relies on the vector type that allows a selective and efficient transfection into the target cells with maximum efficacy and minimal toxicity. Although, genes delivered utilizing modified viruses transfect efficiently and precisely, these vectors can cause severe immunological responses and are potentially carcinogenic. A promising method of overcoming this limitation is the use of non-viral vectors, including cationic lipids, polymers, dendrimers, and peptides, which offer potential routes for compacting DNA for targeted delivery. Although non-viral vectors exhibit reduced transfection efficiency compared to their viral counterpart, their superior biocompatibility, non-immunogenicity and potential for large-scale production make them increasingly attractive for modern therapy. There has been a great deal of interest in the development of biomimetic chimeric peptides. Biomimetic chimeric peptides contain different motifs for gene translocation into the nucleus of the desired cells. They have motifs for gene targeting into the desired cell, condense DNA into nanosize particles, translocate the gene into the nucleus and enhance the release of the particle into the cytoplasm. These carriers were developed in recent years. This review highlights the stepwise development of the biomimetic chimeric peptides currently being used in gene delivery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7545
Author(s):  
Myriam Sainz-Ramos ◽  
Idoia Gallego ◽  
Ilia Villate-Beitia ◽  
Jon Zarate ◽  
Iván Maldonado ◽  
...  

Efficient delivery of genetic material into cells is a critical process to translate gene therapy into clinical practice. In this sense, the increased knowledge acquired during past years in the molecular biology and nanotechnology fields has contributed to the development of different kinds of non-viral vector systems as a promising alternative to virus-based gene delivery counterparts. Consequently, the development of non-viral vectors has gained attention, and nowadays, gene delivery mediated by these systems is considered as the cornerstone of modern gene therapy due to relevant advantages such as low toxicity, poor immunogenicity and high packing capacity. However, despite these relevant advantages, non-viral vectors have been poorly translated into clinical success. This review addresses some critical issues that need to be considered for clinical practice application of non-viral vectors in mainstream medicine, such as efficiency, biocompatibility, long-lasting effect, route of administration, design of experimental condition or commercialization process. In addition, potential strategies for overcoming main hurdles are also addressed. Overall, this review aims to raise awareness among the scientific community and help researchers gain knowledge in the design of safe and efficient non-viral gene delivery systems for clinical applications to progress in the gene therapy field.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 768
Author(s):  
Noam Y. Steinman ◽  
Luis M. Campos ◽  
Yakai Feng ◽  
Abraham J. Domb ◽  
Hossein Hosseinkhani

Non-viral vectors for the transfection of genetic material are at the frontier of medical science. In this article, we introduce for the first time, cyclopropenium-containing nanoparticles as a cationic carrier for gene transfection, as an alternative to the common quaternary ammonium transfection agents. Cyclopropenium-based cationic nanoparticles were prepared by crosslinking poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) with tetrachlorocyclopropene. These nanoparticles were electrostatically complexed with plasmid DNA into nanoparticles (~50 nm). Their cellular uptake into F929 mouse fibroblast cells, and their eventual expression in vitro have been described. Transfection is enhanced relative to PEI with minimal toxicity. These cyclopropenium nanoparticles possess efficient gene transfection capabilities with minimal cytotoxicity, which makes them novel and promising candidates for gene therapy.


Nano LIFE ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 01 (03n04) ◽  
pp. 219-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHARDOOL JAIN ◽  
HUSAIN ATTARWALA ◽  
MANSOOR AMIJI

Gene therapy holds tremendous promise in prevention and treatment of diseases as the approach is based on regulating the expression of genes that are responsible for pathological conditions. The biggest bottleneck for gene delivery has been the development of safe and efficacious delivery systems. Although non-viral vectors are considered as much safer options than their viral counterparts, they suffer from low transfection efficiency. In this review, we highlight the role of non-condensing polymeric delivery systems for oral and systemic gene delivery. Using evidence from contemporary literature, non-condensing polymeric microparticle and nanoparticle systems afford physical encapsulation of the nucleic acid construct and can be engineered for targeted delivery to tissues and cells. Additionally, these systems have shown less toxicity and afford sustained cytoplasmic DNA delivery for efficient nuclear uptake and transfection for both DNA vaccines and therapeutic genes.


genesis ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Sato ◽  
Maya Tanigawa ◽  
Natsuko Kikuchi ◽  
Shingo Nakamura ◽  
Minoru Kimura

2014 ◽  
Vol 1060 ◽  
pp. 3-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanlop Weecharangsan ◽  
Orapan Paecharoenchai ◽  
Nattisa Niyomtham ◽  
Praneet Opanasopit ◽  
Boon-ek Yingyongnarongkul ◽  
...  

Polyethylenimine (PEI) was modified by cholic acid at a molar ratio of 1:1. Cholic acid (CA)-modified PEI (PEI-CA) were evaluated for formation of DNA complexes. PEI-CA/pEGFP plasmid DNA complexes were characterized for their size and zeta potential. Gel electrophoresis showed total retardation for PEI-CA/pEGFP complexes formed at weight ratios above 0.25. The particle size and zeta potential of the complexes at a polymer-to-DNA ratio of 0.5 were 295.3 nm and 30.5 mV, respectively. The transfection efficiency of PEI-CA/pEGFP complexes was comparable to unmodified PEI. Cytotoxicity result showed that PEI-CA had lower cytoxicity than PEI. This study suggests that PEI-CA has potential utility as a gene delivery carrier.


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