Nanoparticles for human liver-specific drug and gene delivery systems: in vitro and in vivo advances.

ABSTRACT

A wide variety of nanoparticles (NPs) that can deliver incorporated therapeutic materials such as compounds, proteins, genes and siRNAs to the human liver have been developed to treat liver-related diseases. This review describes NP-based drug and gene delivery systems such as liposomes (including lipoplex), polymer micelles, polymers (including polyplex) and viral vectors. It focuses upon the modification of these NPs to enhance liver specificity or delivery efficiency in vitro and in vivo. We discuss recent advances in drug and gene delivery systems specific to the human liver utilizing bio-nanocapsules comprising hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope L protein, which has a pivotal role in HBV infection. These NP-based medicines may offer novel strategies for the treatment of liver-related diseases and contribute to the development of nanomedicines targeting other tissues.