Adhesion molecules and gene transfer

Cell adhesion molecules are a large group of molecules involved in a variety of cell-to-cell and cell-to-extra-cellular matrix (ECM) interactions. Apart from their cellular function these molecules are exploited by a number of pathogenic micro-organisms as receptors for cell entry. Discovery of the use of adhesion molecules for binding and internalisation by naturally occurring pathogens has fuelled much research, in recent years, into the utilisation of these molecules for the targeting and uptake of both gene and drug delivery systems. This review describes the development of such systems and their potential advantages over other receptor-targeted delivery systems.