Dendrosome
Encyclopedia
Dendrosomes are novel vesicular, spherical, supramolecular entities wherein the dendrimer
–nucleic acid
complex is encapsulated within a lipophilic shell. They possess negligible hemolytic toxicity and higher transfection
efficiency, and they are better tolerated in vivo
than are dendrimers. The word “ Dendrosome” came from the Greek word “Dendron” meaning tree and “ some” means vesicle
s. Thus dendrosomes are vesicular structures composed of dendrimers.
and genetic immunization.
Poly (propyleneimine) dendrosome based genetic immunization against Hepatitis B was found to be highly effective as compared to Dendrimer-Plasmid
DNA
complex. It has been postulated that in dendrosomes, the poly (propyleneimine) dendrimer–DNA complex is largely protected by multilamelarity of the vesicles. Moreover, it has been hypothesized that the lipoidal layers of the dendrosomes modifies the release pattern of the poly (propyleneimine) dendrimer –DNA complex, while some of the larger vesicles remain at the site of injection
following their degradation
by tissue phospholipase
s, the smaller ones delivering and transfecting efficiently the antigen-presenting cell
s (APC) in the draining lymph node
s. Dendrosomes have also been explored for the delivery of s10siRNA targeting E6/E7 oncogene
s in cervical cancer
. It has been reported that polyamidoamine dendrimer based dendrosomes are efficient systems for the delivery of siRNA
for effective management of cervical cancer.
as well as in vivo.
Dendrimer
Dendrimers are repetitively branched molecules. The name comes from the Greek word "δένδρον" , which translates to "tree". Synonymous terms for dendrimer include arborols and cascade molecules. However, dendrimer is currently the internationally accepted term. A dendrimer is typically symmetric...
–nucleic acid
Nucleic acid
Nucleic acids are biological molecules essential for life, and include DNA and RNA . Together with proteins, nucleic acids make up the most important macromolecules; each is found in abundance in all living things, where they function in encoding, transmitting and expressing genetic information...
complex is encapsulated within a lipophilic shell. They possess negligible hemolytic toxicity and higher transfection
Transfection
Transfection is the process of deliberately introducing nucleic acids into cells. The term is used notably for non-viral methods in eukaryotic cells...
efficiency, and they are better tolerated in vivo
In vivo
In vivo is experimentation using a whole, living organism as opposed to a partial or dead organism, or an in vitro controlled environment. Animal testing and clinical trials are two forms of in vivo research...
than are dendrimers. The word “ Dendrosome” came from the Greek word “Dendron” meaning tree and “ some” means vesicle
Vesicle (biology)
A vesicle is a bubble of liquid within another liquid, a supramolecular assembly made up of many different molecules. More technically, a vesicle is a small membrane-enclosed sack that can store or transport substances. Vesicles can form naturally because of the properties of lipid membranes , or...
s. Thus dendrosomes are vesicular structures composed of dendrimers.
Applications
Dendrosomes have been explored as vectors in gene deliveryGene delivery
Gene delivery is the process of introducing foreign DNA into host cells. Gene delivery is, for example, one of the steps necessary for gene therapy and the genetic modification of crops. There are many different methods of gene delivery developed for a various types of cells and tissues, from...
and genetic immunization.
Poly (propyleneimine) dendrosome based genetic immunization against Hepatitis B was found to be highly effective as compared to Dendrimer-Plasmid
Plasmid
In microbiology and genetics, a plasmid is a DNA molecule that is separate from, and can replicate independently of, the chromosomal DNA. They are double-stranded and, in many cases, circular...
DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
complex. It has been postulated that in dendrosomes, the poly (propyleneimine) dendrimer–DNA complex is largely protected by multilamelarity of the vesicles. Moreover, it has been hypothesized that the lipoidal layers of the dendrosomes modifies the release pattern of the poly (propyleneimine) dendrimer –DNA complex, while some of the larger vesicles remain at the site of injection
Injection (medicine)
An injection is an infusion method of putting fluid into the body, usually with a hollow needle and a syringe which is pierced through the skin to a sufficient depth for the material to be forced into the body...
following their degradation
Chemical decomposition
Chemical decomposition, analysis or breakdown is the separation of a chemical compound into elements or simpler compounds. It is sometimes defined as the exact opposite of a chemical synthesis. Chemical decomposition is often an undesired chemical reaction...
by tissue phospholipase
Phospholipase
A phospholipase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes phospholipids into fatty acids and other lipophilic substances. There are four major classes, termed A, B, C and D, distinguished by the type of reaction which they catalyze:*Phospholipase A...
s, the smaller ones delivering and transfecting efficiently the antigen-presenting cell
Antigen-presenting cell
An antigen-presenting cell or accessory cell is a cell that displays foreign antigen complexes with major histocompatibility complex on their surfaces. T-cells may recognize these complexes using their T-cell receptors...
s (APC) in the draining lymph node
Lymph node
A lymph node is a small ball or an oval-shaped organ of the immune system, distributed widely throughout the body including the armpit and stomach/gut and linked by lymphatic vessels. Lymph nodes are garrisons of B, T, and other immune cells. Lymph nodes are found all through the body, and act as...
s. Dendrosomes have also been explored for the delivery of s10siRNA targeting E6/E7 oncogene
Oncogene
An oncogene is a gene that has the potential to cause cancer. In tumor cells, they are often mutated or expressed at high levels.An oncogene is a gene found in the chromosomes of tumor cells whose activation is associated with the initial and continuing conversion of normal cells into cancer...
s in cervical cancer
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri or cervical area. One of the most common symptoms is abnormal vaginal bleeding, but in some cases there may be no obvious symptoms until the cancer is in its advanced stages...
. It has been reported that polyamidoamine dendrimer based dendrosomes are efficient systems for the delivery of siRNA
Sírna
Sírna Sáeglach , son of Dian mac Demal, son of Demal mac Rothechtaid, son of Rothechtaid mac Main, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland...
for effective management of cervical cancer.
Toxicology
Dendrosome are reported to be completely non toxic both in vitroIn vitro
In vitro refers to studies in experimental biology that are conducted using components of an organism that have been isolated from their usual biological context in order to permit a more detailed or more convenient analysis than can be done with whole organisms. Colloquially, these experiments...
as well as in vivo.