title: pH-responsive shielding of non-viral gene vectors.
abstract: PEG shielding of non-viral vectors reduces undesired interactions with the extracellular environment. Combination with cell-binding domains enables in vivo targeting via specific attachment to the target cells. Pegylation, however, also interferes with effective intracellular nucleic acid delivery. Consistently triggered removal of the PEG shield after reaching the target cell would make non-viral vectors more compatible with the intracellular delivery steps. Physiological triggers may include changes in pH, enzyme concentration or redox potential. This review focuses on pH-sensitive shielding strategies that exploit the endosomal acidification process after endocytosis for deshielding of the delivery system.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Biology-Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004705:Endocytosis; D011992:Endosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D009841:Oligonucleotides; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols