mRNA delivery via non-viral carriers for biomedical applications

Qi Shuai; Fangtao Zhu; Mengdan Zhao; Yunfeng Yan

doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.121020

mRNA delivery via non-viral carriers for biomedical applications

Int J Pharm. 2021 Sep 25:607:121020. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.121020. Epub 2021 Aug 17.

Authors

Qi Shuai¹, Fangtao Zhu², Mengdan Zhao³, Yunfeng Yan⁴

Affiliations

¹ College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University and Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China.
² College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China.
³ Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University and Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China.
⁴ College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China. Electronic address: yfyan@zjut.edu.cn.

PMID: 34416327
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.121020

Abstract

As an emerging new class of nucleic acid drugs, messenger RNA (mRNA) has huge potential in immunotherapy, regenerative medicine, vaccine, and gene editing. Comparing with siRNA and pDNA, mRNA is more vulnerable to nucleases in vivo. However, the lack of effective and safe delivery methods impedes the broad application of mRNA-based therapeutics. Up to now, the delivery of mRNA remains largely unexplored, and therefore, is a hot topic in the field of gene therapy. In this review, we will summarize the ongoing challenges in mRNA-based therapeutics and unmet requirements for delivery vehicles in terms of the unique structure of mRNA. We then highlight the advancement in mRNA delivery in both fundamental research and clinical applications. Finally, a prospective will be proposed upon reviewing the current progress in mRNA delivery.

Keywords: Biomaterials; Biomedicine; Drug delivery; Gene editing; Immunotherapy; Messenger RNA.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Gene Editing*
Genetic Therapy*
Immunotherapy
Prospective Studies
RNA, Messenger

Substances

RNA, Messenger