Development of Inorganic and Hybrid Nanosystems for Delivery of CRISPR-Based Gene Editors

The CRISPR-Cas9 system is a gene editing tool, replacing specific target sequences of eukaryotic DNA via a distinct molecular pathway, with minimal off-target effects. In this manner, the effects are long-lasting and potentially require only one dose of medication to be effective. The package of bacterial nucleases is susceptible to the same degradative pathways as other nucleic acid therapeutics. Similarly, the CRISPR-Cas9 system is incapable of traversing biological membranes on its own. Therefore, a delivery mechanism is needed for effective transfection. In recent literature reviews, the focus has been on viral and lipid-based drug delivery systems, with little attention paid to solid-core nanoparticles, such as gold or silica nanoparticles, which present unique physicochemical properties and delivery opportunities. While viral delivery systems are efficient carriers, they can be highly immunogenic and unstable, and the production of high-viral titers is limited. Lipid-based drug delivery systems, such as liposomes, possess good shelf life, encapsulation, and transfection efficiency, but their biological stability and biodistribution profile limit their in vivo use. Thus, the arsenal of delivery agents could be complemented by solid-core nanoparticles. Their unique structural properties could lead to improved delivery strategies to mitigate disease outcomes and promote organ-specific delivery.