Delivering the Messenger: Advances in Technologies for Therapeutic mRNA Delivery

Mol Ther. 2019 Apr 10;27(4):710-728. doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.02.012. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Abstract

mRNA has broad potential as a therapeutic. Current clinical efforts are focused on vaccination, protein replacement therapies, and treatment of genetic diseases. The clinical translation of mRNA therapeutics has been made possible through advances in the design of mRNA manufacturing and intracellular delivery methods. However, broad application of mRNA is still limited by the need for improved delivery systems. In this review, we discuss the challenges for clinical translation of mRNA-based therapeutics, with an emphasis on recent advances in biomaterials and delivery strategies, and we present an overview of the applications of mRNA-based delivery for protein therapy, gene editing, and vaccination.

Keywords: CRISPR; biomaterials; clinical trial; gene editing; gene therapy; lipid nanoparticles; mRNA delivery; mRNA nanoparticles; mRNA vaccine; protein replacement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / chemistry
  • Dendrimers / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Gene Editing / methods
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Lipids / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / therapeutic use*
  • Vaccination / methods

Substances

  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides
  • Dendrimers
  • Lipids
  • Polymers
  • RNA, Messenger