Exploring the role of peptides in polymer-based gene delivery. (15th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Yanping; Yang, Zhen; Wang, Chunxi; Yang, Tianzhi; Cai, Cuifang; Zhao, Xiaoyun; Yang, Li; Ding, Pingtian
• Is Part Of: Acta biomaterialia. Volume 60(2017)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2017-09-15
• Subjects: CPPs cell-penetrating peptides -- CS chitosan -- DBP DNA binding peptide -- DMMAn dimethylmaleic anhydride -- EAP eight-armed polyethylene glycol -- EAPP EAP-PEI copolymer -- EGF epidermal growth factor -- EGFR epidermal growth factor receptor -- Eph hepatocellular -- EphA2 hepatocellular A2 -- FGFR fibroblast growth factor receptors -- HBPs heparin binding peptides -- mTat modified Tat peptide sequence bearing histidine and cysteine residues -- NLS nuclear localization signal -- NPCs nuclear pore complexes -- PAAs poly(amido amine)s -- PAMAM polyamidoamine dendrimers -- PC PEI-cyclodextrin -- PCM primary cardiomyocyte-specific peptide -- pDNA plasmid DNA -- PEG polyethylene glycol -- PEI polyethylenimine -- PLL poly(l-lysine) -- RGD arginine–glycine–aspartic acid -- RVG rabies virus glycoprotein -- TAT trans-activating transcriptional activator -- WGA wheat germ agglutinin; Polymers -- Peptides -- Functions -- Gene delivery; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.07.043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-7061

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Peptides' roles in polymer-based gene delivery. A Plasmid DNA; B polymers; C polyplex. Abstract: Polymers are widely studied as non-viral gene vectors because of their strong DNA binding ability, capacity to carry large payload, flexibility of chemical modifications, low immunogenicity, and facile processes for manufacturing. However, high cytotoxicity and low transfection efficiency substantially restrict their application in clinical trials. Incorporating functional peptides is a promising approach to address these issues. Peptides demonstrate various functions in polymer-based gene delivery systems, such as targeting to specific cells, breaching membrane barriers, facilitating DNA condensation and release, and lowering cytotoxicity. In this review, we systematically summarize the role of peptides in polymer-based gene delivery, and elaborate how to rationally design polymer-peptide based gene delivery vectors. Statement of Significance: Polymers are widely studied as non-viral gene vectors, but suffer from high cytotoxicity and low transfection efficiency. Incorporating short, bioactive peptides into polymer-based gene delivery systems can address this issue. Peptides demonstrate various functions in polymer-based gene delivery systems, such as targeting to specific cells, breaching membrane barriers, facilitating DNA condensation and release, and lowering cytotoxicity. In this review, we highlight the peptides' roles in polymer-based gene delivery, and elaborate how to utilize various functional peptides to enhance the transfection efficiency of polymers. The optimized peptide-polymer vectors should be able to alter their structures and functions according to biological microenvironments and utilize inherent intracellular pathways of cells, and consequently overcome the barriers during gene delivery to enhance transfection efficiency.