A new colloidal lipidic system for gene therapy.
A novel type of liposomal vector for gene therapy is described (Artificial Virus Particles; AVPs). This vector is based on the composition of retroviral envelopes, serum-resistant and non-toxic and smaller than 200 nm in size. The DNA is condensed using low molecular weight branched PEI. Equipment of these particles with a cyclic RGD peptide ligand as targeting device renders them selective for tumor endothelial and melanoma cells expressing high levels of alphavbeta3-integrins, and allows for an efficient delivery of the enclosed genetic material. The specificity of the vector system for melanoma cells could be further improved by using a melanocyte-specific tyrosinase promoter to drive transgene expression.
Fahr
A
A
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Jena, D-07743 Jena, Germany. alfred.fahr@uni-jena.de
Müller
K
K
Nahde
Th
T
Müller
Rolf
R
Brüsselbach
Sabine
S
D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004727:Endothelium / Q000166:cytology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D039302:Integrin alphaVbeta3 / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008081:Liposomes / Q000378:metabolism; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009842:Oligopeptides; D014162:Transfection; D019076:Transgenes / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology
D039302:Integrin alphaVbeta3; D008024:Ligands; D008081:Liposomes; D009842:Oligopeptides; C047981:arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid