title: Lipid nanoparticles as carriers for RNAi against viral infections: current status and future perspectives.
abstract: The efforts made to develop RNAi-based therapies have led to productive research in the field of infections in humans, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), herpetic keratitis, human papillomavirus, or influenza virus. Naked RNAi molecules are rapidly digested by nucleases in the serum, and due to their negative surface charge, entry into the cell cytoplasm is also hampered, which makes necessary the use of delivery systems to exploit the full potential of RNAi therapeutics. Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) represent one of the most widely used delivery systems for in vivo application of RNAi due to their relative safety and simplicity of production, joint with the enhanced payload and protection of encapsulated RNAs. Moreover, LNP may be functionalized to reach target cells, and they may be used to combine RNAi molecules with conventional drug substances to reduce resistance or improve efficiency. This review features the current application of LNP in RNAi mediated therapy against viral infections and aims to explore possible future lines of action in this field.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de Investigación Lascaray Ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
authors.forename: Josune
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9644-6151
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torrecilla
authors.affiliation: Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de Investigación Lascaray Ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Gascón
authors.affiliation: Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de Investigación Lascaray Ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
authors.forename: María Ángeles
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Solinís
authors.affiliation: Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de Investigación Lascaray Ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: del Pozo-Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006678:HIV / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006518:Hepatitis Viruses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering