The Features and Shortcomings for Gene Delivery of Current Non-Viral Carriers

Title: The Features and Shortcomings for Gene Delivery of Current Non-Viral Carriers

Volume: 13 Issue: 18

Author(s): Yoko Shoji, Hideki Nakashima, Yoshiki Katayama and Kota Kodama

Affiliation:

Keywords: lipoplex, polyplex, Non-viral carrier

Abstract: Since the viral vector for gene therapy has serious problems, including oncogenesity and other adverse effects, non-viral carriers have attracted a great deal of attention. Non-viral carriers are expected to achieve gene therapy without serious side effects. However, the most critical issue of gene delivery by non-viral carriers is the low-expression efficiencies of the desired gene. In order to apply non-viral carriers for gene therapy in practical clinical usage, further understanding of the cellular barriers against gene delivery is a prerequisite. Moreover, additional intelligent concepts for gene delivery are also needed. We will summarize the features and shortcomings of currently developed non-viral delivery systems. Especially, we will address the current progress of cationic lipids (lipoplex) and cationic polymers (polyplex) in terms of transfection efficiency. Furthermore, our group has developed a system that responds to the particular intracellular signals of target disease cells. We have named this gene delivery system a drug delivery system based on responses cellular signal (D-RECS). We will introduce this new concept of intelligent non-viral delivery system that our group recently developed.

Cite this article as:

Shoji Yoko, Nakashima Hideki, Katayama Yoshiki and Kodama Kota, The Features and Shortcomings for Gene Delivery of Current Non-Viral Carriers, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2006; 13 (18) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986706777935276