Year: 2019
Type: review
Abstract: Approximately 4000 diseases are associated with malfunctioning genes in a particular cell type. Gene-based therapy provides a platform to modify the disease-causing genes expression at the cellular level to treat pathological conditions. However, gene delivery is challenging as these therapeutic genes need to overcome several physiological and intracellular barriers in order, to reach the target cells. Over the years, efforts have been dedicated to develop efficient gene delivery vectors to overcome these systemic barriers. Chitosan, a versatile polysaccharide, is an attractive non-viral vector material for gene delivery mainly due to its cationic nature, biodegradability and biocompatibility. The present review discusses the design factors that are critical for efficient gene delivery/transfection and highlights the recent progress of gene therapy using chitosan-based carriers.
Source: Marine Drugs
DOI: 10.3390/md17060381
Authors: Ye Cao, Yang Fei Tan, Yee Shan Wong, Melvin Wen Jie Liew, Subbu Venkatraman
Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,026
Funder: Northwestern University
OpenAlex ID: W2954838189