Abstract Views :228 |
PDF Views:79
Authors
Affiliations
1 Non-viral Gene Delivery Laboratory, Discipline of Biochemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Chiltern Hills, Durban-4000, ZA
Source
Current Science, Vol 111, No 4 (2016), Pagination: 662-670
Abstract
Non-viral cationic liposome/DNA complexes (lipoplexes) have been used extensively in gene delivery approaches, although they have shown lower efficiency compared to viral carriers. In this study, a rational strategy was employed taking advantage of a combination of cationic liposomes prepared using the cationic cytofectin MSO9 and a folate ligand to create a more selective and effective gene delivery system to target cancer cells that overexpress the folate receptor (FR). The folate receptor-negative HEK293 (FR-), and folate receptor-positive HeLa (FR+) and KB (FR++) cell lines were employed to evaluate the efficiency of this novel gene delivery system under serum conditions. Folate was conjugated to the distal ends of DSPE-PEG2000 to create DSPE-PEG2000-FOL, which was then incorporated into the cationic liposomal bilayer. Our observations indicate that FA-labelled lipoplexes confer greater DNA protection, with PEGylated systems (liposome : pDNA) producing smallersized particles (<200 nm) ensuring appropriate pDNA release and targeted delivery. Moreover, FA-labelled lipoplexes attained higher transfection activity over nonfolate-labelled lipoplexes in FR-positive cell lines as confirmed by the luciferase and flow cytometry assays. Our results collectively highlight the potential of this lipid-based targeted gene delivery approach for future in vivo applications.
Keywords
Cationic Liposome, Folate Receptor, Gene Delivery, Transfection.
Full Text
