Recent advances in nanotechnology approaches for non-viral gene therapy

Yihang Jiang, Miaozhuang Fan, Zhenxu Yang, Xiaochen Liu, Zhourui Xu, Shikang Liu, Gang Feng, Shuo Tang, Zhengzheng Li, Yibin Zhang, Shilin Chen, Chengbin Yang, Wing Cheung Law, Biqin Dong, Gaixia Xu, Ken Tye Yong

Research output: Journal article publicationReview articleAcademic researchpeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Gene therapy has shown great potential in the treatment of many diseases by downregulating the expression of certain genes. The development of gene vectors as a vehicle for gene therapy has greatly facilitated the widespread clinical application of nucleic acid materials (DNA, mRNA, siRNA, and miRNA). Currently, both viral and non-viral vectors are used as delivery systems of nucleic acid materials for gene therapy. However, viral vector-based gene therapy has several limitations, including immunogenicity and carcinogenesis caused by the exogenous viral vectors. To address these issues, non-viral nanocarrier-based gene therapy has been explored for superior performance with enhanced gene stability, high treatment efficiency, improved tumor-targeting, and better biocompatibility. In this review, we discuss various non-viral vector-mediated gene therapy approaches using multifunctional biodegradable or non-biodegradable nanocarriers, including polymer-based nanoparticles, lipid-based nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), quantum dots (QDs), silica nanoparticles, metal-based nanoparticles and two-dimensional nanocarriers. Various strategies to construct non-viral nanocarriers based on their delivery efficiency of targeted genes will be introduced. Subsequently, we discuss the cellular uptake pathways of non-viral nanocarriers. In addition, multifunctional gene therapy based on non-viral nanocarriers is summarized, in which the gene therapy can be combined with other treatments, such as photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), immunotherapy and chemotherapy. We also provide a comprehensive discussion of the biological toxicity and safety of non-viral vector-based gene therapy. Finally, the present limitations and challenges of non-viral nanocarriers for gene therapy in future clinical research are discussed, to promote wider clinical applications of non-viral vector-based gene therapy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6862-6892
Number of pages31
JournalBiomaterials Science
Volume10
Issue number24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Dec 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • General Materials Science

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