Gold Nanoparticle-Mediated Gene Therapy

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Successful gene therapy mainly depends on the fabrication of efficient and nontoxic carriers that can compact genetic materials and adequately deliver them to target cells. Nanoscale gold-mediated gene delivery systems have been considered a powerful tool for gene therapy because of their inherent potential of nontoxicity, high specificity, and therapeutic efficacy. Here, we summarize the updated progress in gene therapy by taking an edge on the unique properties of the gold nanoparticles. Distinct employed by these nano-carriers for gene-silencing and gene-editing are a great deal of optimism for the treatment of human fatal genetic disorders. From other published reviews on gold theranostics, this article discusses the recent advances of gold nanostructures in gene therapeutics for diseases caused by a single gene in humans. The promising advancements employed by these nano-carriers for gene-silencing and gene-editing are a great deal of optimism for the treatment of human fatal genetic disorders. ABSTRACT: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have gained increasing attention as novel drug-delivery nanostructures for the treatment of cancers, infections, inflammations, and other diseases and disorders. They are versatile in design, synthesis, modification, and functionalization. This has many advantages in terms of gene editing and gene silencing, and their application in genetic illnesses. The development of several techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9, TALEN, and ZFNs has raised hopes for the treatment of genetic abnormalities, although more focused experimentation is still needed. AuNPs, however, have been much more effective in trending research on this subject. In this review, we highlight recently well-developed advancements that are relevant to cutting-edge gene therapies, namely gene editing and gene silencing in diseases caused by a single gene in humans by taking an edge of the unique properties of the AuNPs, which will be an important outlook for future research.