Harnessing Biomaterials for Gene Therapy in Autoimmune Disease

The integration of biomaterials and gene therapy heralds a transformative approach for treating autoimmune diseases, which are characterized by immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation. Conventional therapies often suffer from systemic toxicity and nonspecific immunosuppression, highlighting the need for precision medicine strategies. This review highlights recent breakthroughs in biomaterial-assisted delivery of gene therapy tools, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated 9 (CRISPR-Cas9). Advanced biomaterials, including lipid nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, inorganic nanoparticles (such as gold [Au] and graphene oxide [GO]), and extracellular vesicles (EVs), have been engineered to overcome key challenges, such as low targeting efficiency, enzymatic degradation, and off-target effects. Functionalized systems that leverage pH-, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-, or enzyme-responsive mechanisms enable spatiotemporally controlled release, thereby reducing off-target exposure and systemic toxicity, for example, by confining TNF-α siRNA release to inflamed joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In contrast, ligand/receptor-mediated targeting (such as folate and CD44) enhances tissue specificity. This review highlights the pivotal role of biomaterials in improving the clinical translation of gene therapy, providing a roadmap for next-generation treatments that prioritize precision, durability, and minimal systemic effects.