Cell-penetrating peptides: breaking through to the other side.
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been previously shown to be powerful transport vector tools for the intracellular delivery of a large variety of cargoes through the cell membrane. Intracellular delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA), oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), proteins and peptides, contrast agents, drugs, as well as various nanoparticulate pharmaceutical carriers (e.g., liposomes, micelles) has been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. This review focuses on the peptide-based strategy for intracellular delivery of CPP-modified nanocarriers to deliver small molecule drugs or DNA. In addition, we discuss the rationales for the design of 'smart' pharmaceutical nanocarriers in which the cell-penetrating properties are hidden until triggered by exposure to appropriate environmental conditions (e.g., a particular pH, temperature, or enzyme level), applied local microwave, ultrasound, or radiofrequency radiation.
Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, Northeastern University, 312 Mugar Life Sciences Building, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Erez
E
Koren
Vladimir P
VP
Torchilin
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D057846:Cell-Penetrating Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans
D057846:Cell-Penetrating Peptides; D004337:Drug Carriers