Abstract
Background: Due to poor safety characterstics, viral vectors in gene delivery are usually limited in clinical application. Non-viral vectors have focused on the development of effective gene delivery carriers. As a promising non-viral carrier, chitosan (CS) is advantageous due to its biocompatibility, low toxicity and immunogenicity.
Objective: The disadvantages such as low transfection efficiency and lack of celltargeting capability that CS possesses still need to be improved.
Method: In this review, we summarized different chemical modifications of CS to overcome the obstacles mentioned before. The latest developments on the modifications of CS as gene delivery carriers will also be the main focus in this article.
Results: For chemical modification of CS, the main interest focused on the ease of synthesis with controlled structure and size, biodegradability, high transfection efficiency and cell-targeted ability.
Conclusion: Recent technological progress in chemical modification of CS has led to improvements of its transfection efficiency, better targeting specific cells and higher cellular uptake.
Keywords: Chitosan, chitosan derivatives, gene delivery, DNA, siRNA, chemical modification.
Graphical Abstract
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances of Heterocyclic Chemistry with Pesticide Activity
Global food safety and security will continue to be a global concern for the next 50 years and beyond. Plant diseases have had a significant impact on food safety and security throughout the entire food chain, from primary production to consumption. While conventional chemical pesticides have been traditionally used for ...read more
Calculation design of covalent/metal organic framework based catalysts
This research area combines theoretical computation and screening with machine learning for the design of covalent/metal organic framework-based catalysts, bridging the disciplines of organic chemistry, physical chemistry, computational chemistry, materials science, and machine learning. It covers several critical aspects: designing and synthesizing organic catalysts for improved performance, applying computational methods ...read more
Carbohydrates conversion in biofuels and bioproducts
Biomass pretreatment, hydrolysis, and saccharification of carbohydrates, and sugars bioconversion in biofuels and bioproducts within a biorefinery framework. Carbohydrates derived from woody biomass, agricultural wastes, algae, sewage sludge, or any other lignocellulosic feedstock are included in this issue. Simulation, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle analysis of a biorefinery process are ...read more
Catalytic C-H bond activation as a tool for functionalization of heterocycles
The major topic is the functionalization of heterocycles through catalyzed C-H bond activation. The strategies based on C-H activation not only provide straightforward formation of C-C or C-X bonds but, more importantly, allow for the avoidance of pre-functionalization of one or two of the cross-coupling partners. The beneficial impact of ...read more
Related Books
Advances in Organic Synthesis
The Synthetic Methods, Structures, and Properties of the Ca-C σ Bond Organocalcium Containing Compounds
Advances in Organic Synthesis
Chemistry of Bipyrazoles: Synthesis and Applications
Advances in Organic Synthesis
Advanced Nanocatalysis for Organic Synthesis and Electroanalysis
Advances in Organic Synthesis
Advances in Organic Synthesis
43
3