Uploaded August 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
One of the major challenges for RNA therapeutics (like CRISPR-Cas9) is delivery - making sure it is efficient, safe and selective - it targets the cells you want it to.
Two mechanisms to achieve this are adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) and lipid nanoparticles.
But now, there may be a third. Bring on selective endogenous encapsidation for cellular delivery or SEND, as much easier to say. Developed in Feng Zhang's lab they show that PEG10 an endogenous retroelement can be exploited to develop an modular RNA delivery tool to transfer RNA between cells.
I explain my understanding of SEND and its potential applications e.g for CRISPR-Cas9 delivery in this video. (so SENDing CRISPR and other RNA tools into cells)
Find me on Twitter - twitter.com/EleanorSheekey
I have Patreon - patreon.com/TheSheekeyScienceShow
REFERENCES;
Mammalian retrovirus-like protein PEG10 packages its own mRNA and can be pseudotyped for mRNA delivery - doi.org/10.1126/science.abg6155
Stoye, J. Studies of endogenous retroviruses reveal a continuing evolutionary saga. Nat Rev Microbiol 10, 395–406 (2012). doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro2783
https://news.mit.edu/2021/send-peg10-drug-delivery-0819
Icons in intro; "freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background"Background vector created by freepik - freepik.com
One of the major challenges for RNA therapeutics (like CRISPR-Cas9) is delivery - making sure it is efficient, safe and selective - it targets the cells you want it to.
Two mechanisms to achieve this are adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) and lipid nanoparticles.
But now, there may be a third. Bring on selective endogenous encapsidation for cellular delivery or SEND, as much easier to say. Developed in Feng Zhang's lab they show that PEG10 an endogenous retroelement can be exploited to develop an modular RNA delivery tool to transfer RNA between cells.
I explain my understanding of SEND and its potential applications e.g for CRISPR-Cas9 delivery in this video. (so SENDing CRISPR and other RNA tools into cells)
Find me on Twitter - twitter.com/EleanorSheekey
I have Patreon - patreon.com/TheSheekeyScienceShow
REFERENCES;
Mammalian retrovirus-like protein PEG10 packages its own mRNA and can be pseudotyped for mRNA delivery - doi.org/10.1126/science.abg6155
Stoye, J. Studies of endogenous retroviruses reveal a continuing evolutionary saga. Nat Rev Microbiol 10, 395–406 (2012). doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro2783
https://news.mit.edu/2021/send-peg10-drug-delivery-0819
Icons in intro; "freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background"Background vector created by freepik - freepik.com
