碳纳米管在药物和基因转运领域的应用

Applications of Carbon Nanotubes in Drug and Gene Delivery

当前国内外的许多研究小组都致力于开发出新型有效的药物和基因转运系统,用于改善多种治疗因子的药理学作用并降低其毒性。在新型纳米材料中,碳纳米管(carbon nanotubes,CNTs)正逐步引起人们的关注。功能化CNTs的两个关键优势在于它具有很强的细胞穿透能力和较低的细胞毒性,使其在药物和基因转运领域中的应用成为可能。CNTs可通过形成稳定的共价键或形成以非共价键为基础的超分子结合物来运载肽类、蛋白质、核酸和药物等活性分子,并将其运送至特定的组织和器官中以表达特殊的生物学功能。针对这一研究热点,本文综述了近几年国内外关于碳纳米管在药物和基因转运领域中的应用进展,并探讨了其毒性,以期为这一领域中的研究工作者提供参考。

At present, many domestic and international research teams are committed to develop new and efficient drug and gene transfer systems for improving the pharmacological effects of many classes of therapeutic molecules and reducing their toxicity. Within the family of nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes （CNTs） is increasingly attracting attention. Two key advantages of functionalized carbon nanotubes （f-CNTs） are their strong ability to translocate through plasma membranes and low toxicity, which make their applications in drug and gene transfer systems being possible. CNTs can form stable covalent bonds or supramolecular assemblies based on noncovalent interactions with active molecules such as peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and drugs. CNTs can deliver them into specific cells, tissues and organs to express special biological functions. Towards this subject, we review the recent domestic and international research developments of the applications of carbon nanotubes in drug and gene delivery systems, and discuss their toxicity.