Graphene-based Nano-Carrier modifications for gene delivery applications

Gene therapy, a therapeutic approach based on nucleotide delivery to the targeted cells, serves as a hot spot research. Regardless of recent developments in various nucleotide-based therapeutics, the success of gene therapy in clinical steps is still limited due to less-efficient delivery mechanisms toward the targeted tissue or cells. In recent decades, nanotechnology has provided a remarkable breakthrough in developing safe and efficient gene carriers. Graphene and its derivatives, as sheet-like carbonic nanomaterials, have been progressively utilized in various biomedical fields. Currently, applications of graphene-based platforms extend to gene delivery as nano-carrier. Considering the unique structure and chemistry of graphitic nanoparticles, they provide high capacity for the loading of genes. To improve biocompatibility, biostability, cellular uptake and increase in gene loading capacity, the surfaces of graphene and its derivatives have been modified with various polymers or ligands. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the current status of graphene family nanoplatforms for gene delivery applications with a focus on the main graphene characteristics as gene nano-carriers. We further highlight the various types of modifications and functionalization of graphene, suitable for nucleotides loading and delivery. We finally address the future perspectives and challenging issues of graphene-based gene therapy for prospect clinical applications. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.