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Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Tracking Drug-induced Changes in Receptor Post-internalization Trafficking by Colocalizational Analysis
Published on: July 3, 2015
Cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking of oligonucleotides
1Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
Abstract:
Oligonucleotides manifest much promise as potential therapeutic agents. However, understanding of how oligonucleotides function within living organisms is still rather limited. A major concern in this regard is the mechanisms of cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking of both 'free' oligonucleotides and oligonucleotides associated with various polymeric or nanocarrier delivery systems. Here we review basic aspects of the mechanisms of endocytosis and intracellular trafficking and how insights from these processes can be used to understand oligonucleotide delivery. In particular we discuss opportunities for escape of oligonucleotides from endomembrane compartments and describe recent studies using small molecules to enhance oligonucleotide effects.
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