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Published on: March 1, 2013
Protein-based nanoparticles for therapeutic nucleic acid delivery.
Feyisayo Eweje1, Michelle L Walsh2, Kiran Ahmad3
1Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Harvard and MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, Boston, MA, USA, 02115; Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
Protein nanoparticles offer a biodegradable and functionalizable platform for delivering nucleic acid therapies. This review explores their potential and challenges for therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Therapeutic Delivery
Background:
- Nucleic acid therapies require efficient delivery agents to reach target cells.
- Protein materials possess advantageous properties like biodegradability and functionalizability for drug delivery systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the progress of non-viral protein-based nanoparticles for nucleic acid delivery.
- To discuss the physicochemical properties enabling nanoparticle formulation and drug delivery.
- To outline future prospects and challenges for therapeutic translation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of protein-based nanoparticles for nucleic acid delivery.
- Analysis of physicochemical properties relevant to nanoparticle formulation.
- Discussion of in vitro and in vivo applications.
Main Results:
- Protein nanoparticles show promise as non-viral vectors for nucleic acid delivery.
- Key physicochemical properties facilitate their use in nanoparticle formulation.
- Progress has been made in both in vitro and in vivo applications.
Conclusions:
- Protein-based nanoparticles represent a promising strategy for therapeutic nucleic acid delivery.
- Further research is needed to address challenges in translating these systems for clinical use.
