title: Cutaneous gene delivery.
abstract: Over the past decade, many approaches to transferring genes into the skin have been investigated. However, most such approaches have been specifically aimed against genodermatosis, and have not produced sufficient results. The goal of such research is to develop a method in which genes are transferred easily, efficiently and stably into keratinocytes, especially into keratinocyte stem cells, and in which the transgene expression persists without a reaction from the host immune response. Although accidental development of cancer has occurred in trials of gene therapy for X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID), resulting in slowing of the progress of this research, the lessons of these setbacks have been applied to further research. Moreover, combined with the techniques acquired from tissue engineering, recent developments in our knowledge about stem cells will lead to new treatments for genodermatoses. The present review summarizes the methods by which therapeutic genes can be transferred into keratinocytes, with discussion of how gene transfer efficiency can be improved, with particular emphasis on disruption of the skin barrier function. It concludes with discussion of the challenges and prospects of keratinocyte gene therapy, in terms of achieving efficient and long-lasting therapeutic effects.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gene Therapy Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Katsuto
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tamai
authors.forename: Yasufumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kaneda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D010539:Permeability; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012869:Skin Absorption; D012873:Skin Diseases, Genetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D004247:DNA