Table 3.
Advantages and disadvantages of various vectors.
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
| Retrovirus | Stable integration into the genome, high transfection rate, long gene expression time, weak immunogenicity. | Only integrate into dividing cells, risk of insertional mutations, low delivery efficiency in vivo, small package capacity [9]. |
| Adenovirus | Capable of carrying relatively large gene fragments. | Immunogenic, complex operation, short gene expression time. |
| AAV | Weak immune response, high transfection rate, no integration of host DNA. | Small package capacity |
| Lentiviral | Stable integration into genome or dividing cells, long duration of gene expression, weak immunogenicity. | Risk of insertional mutations, low delivery efficiency in vivo [9]. |
| LNP | Protect mRNA from degradation by ribonucleases, high mRNA delivery efficiency, high yield, and easy scale-up of production. | Potential side effects, weak targeting and stability. |
| Protamine | Protect mRNA from degradation by ribonucleases and adjuvant activity of the protamine–mRNA complex. | Low delivery efficiency and low efficiency of mRNA translation. |
| Cationic polymer | Promote internalization through adsorption-mediated cellular endocytosis, effectively compress nucleic acids and protect them from enzymatic degradation through surface amine groups [48], and provide pH-buffering capacity through the large number of tertiary amine groups in the core [49]. | Mostly non-degradable and highly cytotoxic [50]. |
| Peptide | Highly functional. | Low delivery efficiency |
| Cationic nanoemulsion | Protects mRNA from degradation by ribonucleases, has the ability to protect and efficiently deliver nucleic acids, and can trigger a strong immune response as a vaccine adjuvant [51]. | High cytotoxicity |
| Cell-penetrating peptide | Low charge density and excellent ability to cross cell membranes. | Only a few peptides are effective and there is an urgent need to develop new effective compounds to expand the material pool for peptide delivery systems. |
| Exosome | Biocompatible and not easily cleared by immunity [52]. | Difficult to produce, isolate, and purify [53]. |
| Inorganic nanoparticle | Easily modified for surface modification and unique versatility. | Poor biocompatibility and difficult to biodegrade. |