Polyethyleneimine as targeted gene vectors:a review / 国际药学研究杂志

ABSTRACT

Currently, polyethylenimine(PEI) is one of the most promising non-viral gene delivery vectors. However, high relative molecular mass PEI has obvious toxicity and is short of targeting or specificity to cells or tissues. As we know, targeting or specificity is the key property of ideal gene delivery systems. Therefore, PEI should be modified to become a gene vector with targeting and low toxicity. Up to now, investgations on modification of PEI for targeting effect mainly include:1.modification with endogenous ligands such as transferrin(Tf),RGD peptide, etc;2.modification with carbohydrate such as galactose,etc;3.modification with specific antibody. Of these, the specific antibody-directed PEI is anticipated to be one of promising and distinctive targeting gene delivery carriers. The present paper summarises literature on PEI as targeted gene delivery vectors.