Issue 12, 2015

Biomaterials for mRNA delivery

Abstract

Messenger RNA (mRNA) has recently emerged with remarkable potential as an effective alternative to DNA-based therapies because of several unique advantages. mRNA does not require nuclear entry for transfection activity and has a negligible chance of integrating into the host genome which excludes the possibility of potentially detrimental genomic alternations. Chemical modification of mRNA has further enhanced its stability and decreased its activation of innate immune responses. Additionally, mRNA has been found to have rapid expression and predictable kinetics. Nevertheless, the ubiquitous application of mRNA remains challenging given its unfavorable attributes, such as large size, negative charge and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. Further refinement of mRNA delivery modalities is therefore essential for its development as a therapeutic tool. This review provides an exclusive overview of current state-of-the-art biomaterials and nanotechnology platforms for mRNA delivery, and discusses future prospects to bring these exciting technologies into clinical practice.

Graphical abstract: Biomaterials for mRNA delivery

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
21 jun 2015
Accepted
04 ago 2015
First published
17 ago 2015

Biomater. Sci., 2015,3, 1519-1533

Biomaterials for mRNA delivery

M. A. Islam, E. K. G. Reesor, Y. Xu, H. R. Zope, B. R. Zetter and J. Shi, Biomater. Sci., 2015, 3, 1519 DOI: 10.1039/C5BM00198F

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