Perspectives and Challenges of Cell-Penetrating Peptides in Effective siRNA Delivery
Abstract
Over the last two decades, hundreds of cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been intensively developed as drug and nucleic acid delivery vectors. In many cases, however, the efficient delivery of exogenous bioactive molecules through the plasma membrane to their targets remains a tremendous challenging issue. CPPs have attracted tremendous research interest as efficient cellular delivery vehicles due to their intrinsic ability to enter cells and mediate uptake of a wide range of macromolecular cargos, such as proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, drugs and nanoparticle carriers. This review presents and discusses the current perspectives of CPP-mediated siRNA delivery system. We focus on the CPP-mediated siRNA delivery approaches, and particular emphasis is placed on the strategies for the advantages and disadvantages for each delivery approach. Lastly, the cellular uptake mechanisms of CPPs and the specific challenges associated with each delivery system of siRNAs are discussed.