Novel Gene Transfer Systems: Intelligent Gene Transfer Vectors for Gene Medicines

Abstract

Drug delivery systems for gene transfer are called 'vectors'. These systems were originally invented as a delivery system for the transfection in vitro or in vivo. Several vectors are then developed for clinical use of gene medicines and currently some of them are approved as animal drugs. Conventional drug delivery system generally consists of approved (existing) materials to avoid additional pre-clinical or clinical studies. However, current vectors contain novel materials to improve an efficacy of gene medicines. Thus, these vectors have functions more than a mere delivery of active ingredients. For example some vectors have immunological functions such as adjuvants in vaccines. These new types of vectors are called 'intelligent' or 'innovative' vector system', since the concept or strategy for the development is completely different from conventional drug delivery systems. In this article, we described a current status of 'intelligent gene transfer vectors and discussed on the potentials of them.

Virosome, a hybrid vehicle for efficient and safe drug delivery and its emerging application in cancer treatment

“…2). HN protein can bind to acetyl-type sialic acid at the host cell surface and the F protein associates with lipids, such as cholesterol, to induce membrane fusion of the virosome and host cells (27). Electron microscope-based analysis can be used to determine the size and structure of virosomes.…”

Virosomes-Hybrid Drug Delivery Systems

“…An additional protein, neuraminidase is also incorporated to help in the release of the virus from the cell and aiding its entry into the cell. Similarly, in case of Hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) based virosomes, two proteins, HN and F, are incorporated into the surface [58]. HN or the Hemagglutinating protein is involved in the cell recognition and attachment mechanism while the F or fusion protein induces the fusion of the two membranes.…”