Recent advances on biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles as gene carriers

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Gene therapy mainly depends on the use of appropriate delivery vehicles with no induction of immune responses and toxicity. The limitations of viral gene carriers such as induction of immunogenicity, random integration in the genome of the host, limitations in the size, has led to a movement toward non-viral systems with much safer properties. Biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric nanocarriers due to several unique properties such as excellent biocompatibility, prolonged gene circulation time, prevented gene degradation, passive targeting by using the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, and possibility of modulating polymers structure to obtain desirable therapeutic efficacy, are among the most promising systems for gene delivery. However, biodegradable gene delivery systems have some limitations such as inadequate stability and slow release of therapeutics which have to be overcome. Thus, a variety of advanced functional biodegradable delivery systems with more efficient gene delivery activity has recently been introduced.

Areas covered: This review summarizes different aspects of biodegradable and biocompatible nano carriers including formulation, mechanism of intracellular uptake, various potential applications of biodegradable nanoparticles and finally recent studies on the therapeutic efficacy of these nanoparticles in sustained delivery of genes.

Expert opinion: Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers will play a necessary and important role in developing new and safe carriers for oligonucleotide delivery. More working and the development of optimized polymers will reveal more their efficacy in the treatment of patients via helping in better gene therapy.

KEYWORDS:

• Gene therapy
• biodegradable
• biocompatible
• polymeric nanocarriers

Article highlights

• Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers play an essential and important role in developing new and safe carriers for oligonucleotide delivery.

• Nanoparticles based on polysaccharides represent excellent biocompatibility and are thus promising gene delivery carriers.

• Polyesthers such as PLA, PLGA, PCL and PHA in conjugation with cationic polymers show an important role in delivery of nucleic acid.

• Polyamide cationic nanoparticles due to biodegradability and non-toxicity are of good polymeric gene delivery vectors.

• Inorganic polyphosphates are almost ubiquitous polymers that have high potential in controlled release of genes after functionalization.

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Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.