Delivering Nucleic Acids To Immune And Non Immune Cells

Until recently, innate immunity was regarded as a relatively nonspecific system designed to engulf and destroy pathogens. However, new studies show that the innate immune system is highly developed in its ability to discriminate between self and foreign entities. Understanding this mechanism can lead to therapeutic strategies based on manipulation of this previously unexploited branch of the immune system. Drawing on the research of leading experts, Nucleic Acids in Innate Immunity provides insight in this new area of immunology. The book begins by explaining the roles of nucleic acids in immunity, describing the mechanism of discrimination based on pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), Nod-like receptors (NLR), and RIG-I-like receptors (RLR). Chapters discuss how these PRRs recognize and respond to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by activating specific signaling pathways. The second section focuses on the therapeutic applications of immunomodulatory DNA by manipulating released pathogenic nucleic acids as immune system stimulants. The book introduces novel therapeutics developed to prevent or treat infectious diseases, allergic disorders, and cancer, as well as clearing unnecessary or abnormal host molecules. The final section addresses how the immune system discriminates self and non-self RNA. Recent findings that host (self) nucleic acids are not inert in the immune system beg the question of exactly what elements within DNA or RNA are recognized by the innate immune system. Contributions review recent advances to understand innate immune recognition of nucleic acids and describe the resulting immune modulation. Providing a comprehensive review of nucleic acid recognition and regulation by the innate immune system, this seminal work reveals new directions for future research in immune modulation.

Overall recent research on TLRs has led to tremendous increase in our understanding of early steps in pathogen recognition and will presumably lead to potent TLR targeting therapeutics in the future. This book reviews and highlights our recent understanding on the function and ligands of TLRs as well as their role in autoimmunity, dendritic cell activation and target structures for therapeutic intervention.

Advances in biotechnology have provided scientists with an increasing number of biopharmaceuticals such as novel peptide and protein drugs as well as nucleic acid based drugs for gene therapy. However, successful delivery of these biopharmaceuticals is a major challenge because their molecular properties lead to poor physical and chemical stability in the body and limited membrane permeability. Therefore researchers are developing a range of new delivery technologies and materials to enable these new drugs to be delivered intact to their target sites. Delivery Technologies for Biopharmaceuticals describes strategies to overcome the main barriers for successful delivery of therapeutic peptides, proteins, and nucleic acid-based drugs or vaccines related to the site of administration and the target site. Many of the approaches described are reported in formulations in current clinical trials as well as in marketed products. Contents include: challenges in delivery of biopharmaceuticals novel formulation approaches for peptide and protein injectables non-viral chemical vectors and viral technology for delivery of nucleic acid based drugs immune response, adjuvants and delivery systems for vaccines several examples of delivery systems for different biopharmaceuticals a critical assessment of delivery technologies for biopharmaceuticals Delivery Technologies for Biopharmaceuticals is an essential single-volume introduction to the technologies used by researchers to ensure efficient delivery of this exciting new class of drugs. It will be of value to researchers and students working in drug delivery, formulation, biopharmaceuticals, medicinal chemistry, and new materials development.

Polymers and Nanomaterials for Gene Therapy provides the latest information on gene therapy, a topic that has attracted significant attention over the past two decades for the treatment of inherited and acquired genetic diseases. Major research efforts are currently focused on designing suitable carrier vectors that compact and protect oligonucleotides for gene therapy. The book explores the most recent developments in the field of polymer science and nanotechnology, and how these advancements have helped in the design of advanced materials. Non-viral vector systems, including cationic lipids, polymers, dendrimers, peptides and nanoparticles, are potential routes for compacting DNA for systemic delivery. However, unlike viral analogues that have no difficulty in overcoming cellular barriers and immune defense mechanisms, non-viral gene carriers consistently exhibit significant reduced transfection efficiency due to numerous extra- and intracellular obstacles. Therefore, biocompatibility and potential for large-scale production make these compounds increasingly attractive for gene therapy. This book contains chapters on the engineering of polymers and nanomaterials for gene therapy, and how they can form complexes with DNA and avoid both in vitro and in vivo barriers. Other chapters describe in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo gene therapy studies, and the current issues affecting non-viral gene therapy. Explores current challenges in the research of genetic diseases Discusses polymers for gene therapy and their function in designing advanced materials Provides examples of organic and inorganic nanomaterials for gene therapy Includes labeling, targeting, and assays Looks at characterization, physico-(bio)chemical properties, and applications

RNA Therapeutics: The Evolving Landscape of RNA Therapeutics provides a comprehensive overview of RNA therapeutic modalities, from bench-to-bedside, with an emphasis on the increasingly impactful areas of gene therapy, oligonucleotide therapeutics, gene editing and delivery. International leaders in the field examine RNA-based therapeutics tools that have been developed to-date to modulate cellular processes such as transcription, translation and protein function. Approved RNA-based therapies and lessons learned from failed therapies are discussed in-depth, as are evolving advances in RNA biochemical analysis, and similar advances that are enabling clinical application of RNA-based therapies. Later sections discuss delivery technologies, remaining hurdles in research and translation, the therapy development process from the lab to the clinic, and novel RNA-based therapies currently in development. Features leading experts in the field of RNA therapeutics, spanning all classes of RNA therapies Provides a detailed examination of approved RNA therapies and lessons learned from failed therapeutics Covers all aspects of therapeutic discovery and preclinical development, as well as clinical translation, manufacturing and regulatory aspects