Applications in Gene Delivery

Finsinger D, Remy JS, Erbacher P, Koch C, Plank C (2000) Protective copolymers for nonviral gene vectors synthesis, vector characterization and application in gene delivery. Gene Ther 7 1183-1192... 

Poly-(3-hydroxybutanoic acid) (PHB), belongs to the large family of poly-(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs), high molecular weight natural polymers produced by various microorganisms and stored in cell cytoplasm (200). Low molecular weight PHB, also present in bacteria and are primarily involved in transport of ions and DNA across inner bacterial membrane (201). PHB could be developed as a valuable biocompatible material with possible applications in gene delivery after cytotoxic, safety, and efficacy evaluations. 

Polyanhydride Nanoparticles Polyanhydrides have been more commonly used to prepare microparticles than nanoparticles. However, the technology is adaptable for nanoparticles. The transfection efficiency of firefly luciferase DNA was enhanced when delivered in nanoparticles prepared from polyanhydride-lactic acid blends, demonstrating the potential application in gene delivery [120], The degradation and elimination of polyanhydrides have been reviewed [97], In vivo, the anhydride bond degrades to form diacid monomers that are eliminated from the body. 

The subject of this review is complexes of DNA with synthetic cationic polymers and their application in gene delivery [1 ]. Linear, graft, and comb polymers (flexible, i.e., non-conjugated polymers) are its focus. This review is not meant to be exhaustive but to give representative examples of the various types (chemical structure, architecture, etc.) of synthetic cationic polymers or polyampholytes that can be used to complex DNA. Other interesting synthetic architectures such dendrimers [5-7], dendritic structures/polymers [8, 9], and hyperbranched polymers [10-12] will not be addressed because there are numerous recent valuable reports about their complexes with DNA. Natural or partially synthetic polymers such as polysaccharides (chitosan [13], dextran [14,15], etc.) and peptides [16, 17] for DNA complexation or delivery will not be mentioned. 

The unique physicochemical properties of IL-based gemini surfactants have attracted increasing interests due to their potential applications in various areas [73]. Especially in life science and biological areas, the interactions between IL-based gemini surfactants and biomacromolecules are of interest, for example, the potential application in gene delivery and transfection [74—77]. In this section, we mainly summarize the complexation and thermodynamics of interactions between IL-based gemini surfactants and biomacromolecules (DNA, proteins). 

Biological properties ability to migrate into biological cells, biosensors, prosthetics, drug delivery, medical nanodevices, application in gene engineering. 

From the structural point of view, polyamines used for gene transfection vary widely in their structures, which range between linear [24, 29-35], branched [12, 30, 32], hyperbranched, and perfect branched dendrimers [36]. In this chapter we present a general overview of the research reported so far using dendritic polyamines in gene delivery applications. Particular focus is made on hyperbranched... 

The search for an efficient and non-toxic gene transfection vector has led to the design and synthesis of a great variety of macromolecular scaffolds. An extensive analysis of the key features for the efficient and safe delivery of genes in vivo and in vitro has led to the conclusion that hyperbranched polymers are potential candidates for further development. In this chapter we have presented a detailed analysis of the different hyperbranched polymer scaffolds commonly used in gene delivery applications. Several structural modifications toward the development of an optimal gene vector have been analyzed. 

Yun YH, Chen W (2005) Microspheres formulated from native hyaluronan for applications in gene therapy. In Mansoor MA (ed) Polymeric gene delivery principles and applications, CRC Press LLC, USA, pp 475 186... 

Some researchers see a bright future for dendrimers in many different industrial, medical, research, and consumer applications. One company that produces dendrimers lists applications in drug delivery systems, gene transfection, biotechnology, sensors for diagnostics and detection systems, carbon fiber coatings, microcontact printing, adhesion, molecular batteries, catalysis, separation systems, lasers, composites, and ultrathin films used in optics. 

All the above techniques have major potential applications in drag delivery, from defining new members of key transporter and receptor gene families and their expression, to providing experimental systems for evaluating the efficacy of new delivery systems. 

It has also been used experimentally in controlled-release films that are suitable for application to surgical sites for the prevention of adhesion formation, and in matrix formulations used in gene delivery systems.The EINECS number for hyaluronic acid is 232-678-0. 

Lima MCP, Srmoes S, Pires P, Faneca H, Duzgunes N (2001) Cationic lipid-DNA complexes in gene delivery from biophysics to biological applications. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 47 277-294... 

The study of bacterial adhesins and inva-sins for the application in drug delivery strat- es has recently become the focus of much attention. Paul and colleagues used an invasin fiasion protein system for gene delivery strat- es (59) and Easson and coworkers (60,61) j used a similar approach for intestinal delivery P of nanoparticles. The latter group found that latex microspheres up to 1 jam coupled to mal-I tose-binding protein, which was fused with invasin, can be internalized by MECK cell monolayers (60,61). 

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