Non-viral gene delivery to human mesenchymal stem cells: a practical guide towards cell engineering

Abstract

In recent decades, human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have gained momentum in the field of cell therapy for treating cartilage and bone injuries. Despite the tri-lineage multipotency, proliferative properties, and potent immunomodulatory effects of hMSCs, their clinical potential is hindered by donor variations, limiting their use in medical settings. To address this challenge, gene delivery technologies have emerged as a promising approach to modulate the phenotype and commitment of hMSCs towards specific cell lineages, thereby enhancing osteochondral repair strategies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current non-viral gene delivery approaches used to engineer MSCs, highlighting key factors such as the choice of nucleic acid or delivery vector, transfection strategies, and experimental parameters. Additionally, it outlines various protocols and methods for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of their therapeutic potential as a delivery system in osteochondral regenerative applications. In summary, this technical review offers a practical guide for optimizing non-viral systems in osteochondral regenerative approaches. Graphical Abstract: hMSCs constitute a key target population forgene therapy techniques. Nevertheless, there is a long way to go for theirtranslation into clinical treatments. In this review, we remind the mostrelevant transfection conditions to be optimized, such as the type of nucleicacid or delivery vector, the transfection strategy, and the experimentalparameters to accurately evaluate a delivery system. This survey provides a practicalguide to optimizingnon-viral systems for osteochondral regenerative approaches. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]