INIBIOLP   05426
INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES BIOQUIMICAS DE LA PLATA "PROF. DR. RODOLFO R. BRENNER"
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Magnetic field-assisted gene delivery: achievements and therapeutic potential
Autor/es:
SCHWERDT J; GOYA GERARDO; CALATAYUD PILAR; HEREÑÚ C.B; REGGIANI PC,; GOYA R.G,
Revista:
CURRENT GENE THERAPY
Editorial:
BENTHAM SCIENCE PUBL LTD
Referencias:
Lugar: Karachi; Año: 2011
ISSN:
1566-5232
Resumen:
The discovery in the early 2000 that magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) complexed to nonviral
or viral vectors can, in the presence of an external magnetic field, greatly enhance gene
transfer into cells has raised much interest. This technique, called magnetofection, was
initially developed to improve gene transfer in cell cultures, a simpler and more easily
controllable scenario than in vivo models. These studies provided evidence for some unique
capabilities of magnetofection. Progressively, the interest in magnetofection expanded to its
application in animal models and led to the association of this technique with another novel
technology, magnetic drug targeting (MDT). This combination offers the possibility to
develop more efficient and less invasive gene therapy strategies for a number of major
pathologies like cancer, neurodegeneration and myocardial infarction. The goal of MDT is to
concentrate MNPs functionalized with therapeutic drugs, in target areas of the body by means
of properly focused external magnetic fields. The availability of stable, nontoxic MNP-gene
vector complexes now offers the opportunity to develop magnetic gene targeting (MGT), a
variant of MDT in which the gene coding for a therapeutic molecule, rather than the molecule
itself, is delivered to a therapeutic target area in the body. This article will first outline the
principle of magnetofection, subsequently describing the properties of the magnetic fields and
MNPs used in this technique. Next, it will review the results achieved by magnetofection in
cell cultures. Last, the potential of MGT for implementing minimally invasive gene therapy
will be discussed.