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Review
. 2015 Dec 22:11:1-12.
doi: 10.2147/IJN.S93069. eCollection 2016.

Dendrimers as tunable vectors of drug delivery systems and biomedical and ocular applications

Marina Kalomiraki  1 , Kyriaki Thermos  2 , Nikos A Chaniotakis  1
Affiliations
Review

Dendrimers as tunable vectors of drug delivery systems and biomedical and ocular applications

Marina Kalomiraki et al. Int J Nanomedicine. .

Abstract

Dendrimers are large polymeric structures with nanosize dimensions (1-10 nm) and unique physicochemical properties. The major advantage of dendrimers compared with linear polymers is their spherical-shaped structure. During synthesis, the size and shape of the dendrimer can be customized and controlled, so the finished macromolecule will have a specific "architecture" and terminal groups. These characteristics will determine its suitability for drug delivery, diagnostic imaging, and as a genetic material carrier. This review will focus initially on the unique properties of dendrimers and their use in biomedical applications, as antibacterial, antitumor, and diagnostic agents. Subsequently, emphasis will be given to their use in drug delivery for ocular diseases.

Keywords: diagnostic agent; encapsulation; macromolecule; nanoparticles; ocular diseases.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A schematic structure of dendrimers.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Physical encapsulation of the drug to dendrimer.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Conjugation of the drug to dendrimer.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Dendrimer-mediated gene transfection. Abbreviations: DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid; mRNA, messenger ribonucleic acid.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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MeSH terms