Peptide-assisted nucleic acid delivery systems

Advances in peptide development have made peptide-assisted gene delivery more efficient in vitro and, in some instances, in small animal models. For example, cell and tissue selectivity could be greatly enhanced in the newest generation of CPPs. Other advances which allow for improved performance with regard to targeting and delivery of nucleic acids include adapting peptide sequences to facilitate escape or release from intracellular vesicles or respond to environmental stimuli for a controlled release of cargo, and the development of composite, multivalent peptide-based, or peptide-coupled structures.