Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 8
Polymeric Micelles for siRNA Delivery
Frederico Pittella and Kazunori Kataoka
Abstract
Polymeric micelles as nanoassemblies incorporating siRNA have been
receiving much attention due to their high capacity to accomplish several functions
owing to the flexibility in designing functional block of copolymers by synthetic
polymer chemistry. This chapter presents the basis for formation and examples of
designs of polymeric micelles for siRNA delivery. The barriers found to reach the
cytoplasm of diseased cells are presented, while the chemical solutions available for
the preparation of polymers used in the assembly of smart polymeric micelles are
described. Further, this chapter introduces the interactions that conduct the micelli-
zation process as well as examples of rational strategies for the formation of micelles
using forces that facilitate this process. Advantageous features of polymeric micelles
are summarized, and the future directions in this field are highlighted. This chapter
provides basis for a better understanding of polymeric micelles design and the
feasibility of these vehicles in translating RNAi biology into RNAi therapeutics.
8.1
Introduction
The recent combinatory application of supramolecular nanotherapeutics self-assembled
from bioactive compounds, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), and engineered
polymers with multifunctionality holds great promise to the development of new
protocols for the treatment of diseases. Pioneering research on new reactions for
polymerization as well as characterization methods to obtain well-defined polymers
integrated with multifunctionality arise from synthetic polymer chemistry born
F. Pittella • K. Kataoka (
*
)
Division of Clinical Biotechnology, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine,
Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo,
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku , Tokyo 113-0033 , Japan
e-mail: kataoka@bmw.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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