title: Polymer-based delivery of RNA-based therapeutics in ovarian cancer.
abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) is a naturally occurring, powerful mechanism for gene silencing, based on the cleavage of a given target mRNA. It relies on small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in the cell. Being similar in structure, microRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression which mainly act by blocking mRNA translation. In cancer, certain miRNAs have been found to be pathologically downregulated. The therapeutic application of siRNAs or miRNAs for the induction of RNAi or miRNA replacement, respectively, relies on their efficient delivery through a non-viral formulation. Complexation of siRNAs/miRNAs in polymeric nanoparticles based on polyethylenimines (PEIs) offers protection against degradation, delivery to the target site, cellular uptake, and intracellular release. This chapter provides protocols for therapeutic gene silencing and miRNA replacement therapy, based on PEI complexes for in vitro and in vivo use.
authors.affiliation: Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Weirauch
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gutsch
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Höbel
authors.forename: Achim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aigner
mesh_terms: D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D011108:Polymers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering