Nanovesicles for the delivery of siRNA
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Academic Press
Abstract
Description
Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are a class of nucleic acid-based
drugs that are capable of hindering gene expressions by
meddling/interacting with a messenger RNA (mRNA) prior translation
when administered as part of gene therapy. The mechanism of
discovery of RNA via gene silencing, as induced by double-stranded
RNAs, makes siRNAs ideal drug candidates for combatting several
diseases because, every known disease is expressed by specific
genes, which are usually accompanied by the production of harmful
proteins. However, this technique is yet to gain full implementation in
therapeutics as siRNA-delivery can be hindered by large
macromolecules which they comprise of, and hence, makes them
somewhat difficult to administer. Also, once they find their way into the
blood stream, rapid degradation of these proteins by plasma enzymes
occurs, and as a result of their negatively charged ends, they are
repelled by negatively charged cell walls, which also poses a
challenge to the delivery of fragile siRNA molecules. Thus, by loading
of siRNA molecules with nanovesicles (NVs), they become easily
absorbed or taken up by protein cells into the cytoplasm, which in turn
brings about the attenuation of target gene expressions. There are
also evidences of exosome-mediated delivery of siRNAs in vitro and in
vivo target genes for pH responsive target-cells. Therefore, this chapter focuses on the role of NVs for siRNA delivery. Other medical
applications related to the approaches for siRNA delivery in relation
to nanoparticles in chemically modified siRNAs are also discussed.
Keywords
T Technology (General), TP Chemical technology