Table 3 Advantages and disadvantages of vectors
Type of vector | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
Viral vectors | High transfection efficiency | Biosafety risk, immune response, complex preparation, and small loading volume |
Lipid nanoparticle | Simple preparation and good biocompatibility | Positively charged LNP may directly damage cell membranes and cause cytotoxicity |
Gold nanoparticles | Easy control of shape and size, good biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, and capability of photothermal effect | / |
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles | Good biocompatibility, modifiability, low cytotoxicity, degradability, Magnetic targeting, magneto-thermal effect, and magnetic resonance capability | / |
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles | Good modifiability, biocompatibility, thermal stability, biodegradability | / |
Polyethylenimine | High lysosomal escape ability and high transfection efficiency | Difficult to degrade and cytotoxic |
Chitosan | Good biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity | Transfection efficiency is relatively low |
Dendritic macromolecules | High transfection efficiency, good water solubility, and modifiability | Difficult to degrade and cytotoxic |
Polylactic acid hydroxyacetic acid copolymer | Good biocompatibility biodegradability, and non-toxicity | A relatively low sample load, encapsulation rate, and transfection efficiency |