title: A novel nonviral gene delivery system: multifunctional envelope-type nano device.
abstract: In this review we introduce a new concept for developing a nonviral gene delivery system which we call "Programmed Packaging." Based on this concept, we succeeded in developing a multifunctional envelope-type nano device (MEND), which exerts high transfection activities equivalent to those of an adenovirus in a dividing cell. The use of MEND has been extended to in vivo applications. PEG/peptide/DOPE ternary conjugate (PPD)-MEND, a new in vivo gene delivery system for the targeting of tumor cells that dissociates surface-modified PEG in tumor tissue by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and exerts significant transfection activities, was developed. In parallel with the development of MEND, a quantitative gene delivery system, Confocal Image-assisted 3-dimensionally integrated quantification (CIDIQ), also was developed. This method identified the rate-limiting step of the nonviral gene delivery system by comparing it with adenoviral-mediated gene delivery. The results of this analysis provide a new direction for the development of rational nonviral gene delivery systems.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12 Nishi 6, Sapporo City, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hatakeyama
authors.forename: Hidetaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akita
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kogure
authors.forename: Hideyoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Harashima