title: Are caveolae a cellular entry route for non-viral therapeutic delivery systems?
abstract: The development of novel therapies increasingly relies on sophisticated delivery systems that allow the drug or gene expression-modifying agent of interest entry into cells. These systems can promote cellular targeting and/or entry, and they vary in size, charge, and functional group chemistry. Their optimization requires an in depth knowledge of the cellular routes of entry in normal and pathological states. Caveolae are plasma membrane invaginations that have the potential to undergo endocytosis. We critically review the literature exploring whether drug or nucleic acid delivery systems exploit and/or promote cellular entry via caveolae. A vast majority of studies employ pharmacological tools, co-localization experiments and very few make use of molecular tools. We provide clarification on how results of such studies should be interpreted and make suggestions for future studies.
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, School of Pharmacy, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia.
authors.forename: Prarthana V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Rewatkar
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis and ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, QLD 4072 Australia. Electronic address: r.parton@imb.uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Parton
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, School of Pharmacy, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia. Electronic address: h.parekh@pharmacy.uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Harendra S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Parekh
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, School of Pharmacy, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia. Electronic address: m.parat@pharmacy.uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Marie-Odile
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Parat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D021941:Caveolae / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans
keywords: Caveolae; Caveolin-1; Cavin-1; Drug delivery; Endocytosis