title: Smart Inulin-Based Polycationic Nanodevices for siRNA Delivery.
abstract: The advances of short interfering RNA (siRNA) mediated therapy provide a powerful option for the treatment of many diseases by silencing the expression of targeted genes including cancer development and progression. Inulin is a very simple and biocompatible polysaccharide proposed by our groups to produce interesting delivery systems for Nucleic Acid Based Drugs (NABDs), such as siRNA, either as polycations able to give polyplexes and polymeric coatings for nanosystems having a metallic core. In this research field, different functionalizing groups were linked to the inulin backbone with specific aims including oligoamine such as Ethylendiammine (EDA), Diethylediamine (DETA), Spermine, (SPM) etc. In this contribution the main Inulin-based nanodevices for the delivery of siRNA have been reported, analysed and compared with particular reference to their chemical design and structure, biocompatibility, siRNA complexing ability, silencing ability.
authors.affiliation: Lab of Biocompatible Polymers, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, via Archirafi 32, Palermo 90123, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavallaro
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sardo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scialabba
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Licciardi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giammona
mesh_terms: D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D007444:Inulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D011073:Polyamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D007444:Inulin; D011073:Polyamines; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering
keywords: Biocompatibility; siRNA complexing ability; silencing ability