A new study performed by Tufts University School of Medicine and the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences focused on non-viral gene therapy and eye disease, with promising results.
The study was published in the online version of Molecular Therapy. Senior author Rajendra Kumar-Singh said, “The most common approach to gene therapy involves using a virus to deliver DNA to cells.” Because viruses can also prompt non-desired immune responses, non-viral gene therapy is safer, however until now there have been barriers.
In the study, nanoparticles were developed and delivered to the retinas of mice in a model that simulated the advancement of human retinal degeneration. Retinitis pigmentosa affects 1 in 4,000 Americans. The results were that the mice temporarily retained more sight than did the control group. The study is promising in that it shows that therapeutic results can be attained using non-viral methods such as nanoparticles. For more information please visit http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/197839.php.
