Abstract
Although cell transfection by viral vectors is highly efficient, undesirable side effects including immunogenicity, toxicity and carcinogenesis have to be taken into consideration before their clinical applications. In contrast, most nonviral vectors, such as chitosan, are advantageous due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity and immunogenicity. However, the tranfection efficiency of chitosan as gene vector is rather low because of its low stability and low buffering capacity. Recent technological progress in chemical modification of chitosan has led to improvements of its transfection efficiency without disturbing its biocompatibility and biodegradability. These advances have led to a better understanding of the relationship between the physicochemical characteristics of a non-viral vector and its transfection efficiency. In this review, we summarize the obstacles encountered during the transfection process of chitosan and its derivatives, and then focus on strategies to overcome these obstacles. An accurate method for determining the rate-limiting step and intracellular unpacking kinetics of chitosan and its derivatives is also presented. Lastly, gene-silencing chitosan/ small interfering RNA (chitosan/siRNA) complexes and prospects of feasible methods for enhancing the transfection efficiency of chitosan and its derivatives are discussed.
Keywords: Chemical modification, biological reconstruction, rate-limiting step, chitosan/siRNA complex
Current Gene Therapy
Title: Progress and Prospects of Chitosan and Its Derivatives as Non-Viral Gene Vectors in Gene Therapy
Volume: 9 Issue: 6
Author(s): Haijun Tong, Qin Shi, Julio C. Fernandes, Li Liu, Kerong Dai and Xiaoling Zhang
Affiliation:
Keywords: Chemical modification, biological reconstruction, rate-limiting step, chitosan/siRNA complex
Abstract: Although cell transfection by viral vectors is highly efficient, undesirable side effects including immunogenicity, toxicity and carcinogenesis have to be taken into consideration before their clinical applications. In contrast, most nonviral vectors, such as chitosan, are advantageous due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity and immunogenicity. However, the tranfection efficiency of chitosan as gene vector is rather low because of its low stability and low buffering capacity. Recent technological progress in chemical modification of chitosan has led to improvements of its transfection efficiency without disturbing its biocompatibility and biodegradability. These advances have led to a better understanding of the relationship between the physicochemical characteristics of a non-viral vector and its transfection efficiency. In this review, we summarize the obstacles encountered during the transfection process of chitosan and its derivatives, and then focus on strategies to overcome these obstacles. An accurate method for determining the rate-limiting step and intracellular unpacking kinetics of chitosan and its derivatives is also presented. Lastly, gene-silencing chitosan/ small interfering RNA (chitosan/siRNA) complexes and prospects of feasible methods for enhancing the transfection efficiency of chitosan and its derivatives are discussed.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Tong Haijun, Shi Qin, Fernandes C. Julio, Liu Li, Dai Kerong and Zhang Xiaoling, Progress and Prospects of Chitosan and Its Derivatives as Non-Viral Gene Vectors in Gene Therapy, Current Gene Therapy 2009; 9 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156652309790031111
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156652309790031111 |
Print ISSN 1566-5232 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5631 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Programmed Cell Death Genes in Oncology: Pioneering Therapeutic and Diagnostic Frontiers (BMS-CGT-2024-HT-45)
Programmed Cell Death (PCD) is recognized as a pivotal biological mechanism with far-reaching effects in the realm of cancer therapy. This complex process encompasses a variety of cell death modalities, including apoptosis, autophagic cell death, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, each of which contributes to the intricate landscape of cancer development and ...read more
Related Journals
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Current Understanding of Dietary Polyphenols and their Role in Health and Disease
Current Nutrition & Food Science MMP-9 Inhibitors in the Brain: Can Old Bullets Shoot New Targets?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Involvement of Tachykinins in Intestinal Inflammation
Current Pharmaceutical Design Non-Infectious Complications of Immunosuppressant Medications in Renal Transplant Patients
Current Clinical Pharmacology Vitamin D, Sunlight and Cancer Connection
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Soluble Adhesion Molecules in the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Role of Nitric Oxide in Physiology and Pathology of the Gastrointestinal Tract
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Perioperative Heart-Brain Axis Protection in Obese Surgical Patients: The Nutrigenomic Approach
Current Medicinal Chemistry A Review of the English and Russian Language Literature on the Osteoarticular Manifestations of Brucellosis Infection
Current Rheumatology Reviews Cardiovascular Risk, Inflammation and Physical Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Current Rheumatology Reviews Pneumonia in the Elderly
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Contemporary Risk Assessment and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Peripheral Arterial Disease
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Beneficial Effects of Selective Vitamin D Receptor Activation by Paricalcitol in Chronic Kidney Disease
Current Drug Targets The Effects of Curcumin on Immune Responses
Current Bioactive Compounds Saltatory and Sinusoidal Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) Patterns and significance of FHR ‘Overshoots’
Current Women`s Health Reviews Anti-VEGF Strategies – from Antibodies to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Background and Clinical Development in Human Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Chronic Inflammatory Diseases and the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Current Pharmaceutical Design Irreversible Inhibition of Serine Proteases – Design and In Vivo Activity of Diaryl α-Aminophosphonate Derivatives
Current Medicinal Chemistry Rediscovery of Caffeine: An Excellent Drug for Improving Patient Outcomes while Fighting WARS
Current Medicinal Chemistry Cardiovascular Alterations After Spinal Cord Injury: An Overview
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents