METHODS OF MAKING AND USING A CELL PENETRATING PEPTIDE FOR ENHANCED DELIVERY OF NUCLEIC ACIDS, PROTEINS, DRUGS, AND ADENOVIRUS TO TISSUES AND CELLS, AND COMPOSITIONS AND KITS
A peptide-POD with ability to penetrate and deliver fluorophores, siRNA, DNA and quantum dots to cells in culture and retinal and ocular tissues in vivo is provided herein. POD couples to adenovirus vectors, enhancing tropism for certain cells, potentially providing a safer and more efficacious method to deliver molecules to ocular and other tissues in vivo. POD constructs are therapeutic delivery vehicles for treating cells and tissues, including ocular cells and tissues suffering from retinal degeneration.
