Figure 8-1.7.2.3: Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis

(Adapted and modified from:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7569/figure/A2927/?report=objectonly)

 

8-1.8 Endosomal/Lysosomal Escape

In gene therapy the gene becomes entrapped in the endocytic pathway and is degraded by the hydrolytic enzymes which are a major limiting step in gene therapy. There are various approaches to escape this endocytic pathway for both viral and non-viral gene delivery systems.

• For viral gene delivery system
  
  Enveloped virus can penetrate through endosome membrane and non enveloped viruses escape by forming pores or lyse the vesicular membrane.