Cationic liposomes for gene delivery: novel cationic lipids and enhancement by proteins and peptides.
Cationic liposome-DNA complexes, also called "lipoplexes", constitute a potentially viable alternative to viral vectors for the delivery of therapeutic genes. Here we review the mechanisms of lipoplex-mediated gene delivery, the barriers to efficient gene expression, and novel cationic lipids used for transfection. We also describe methods for enhancing gene transfer via the use of proteins, including transferrin, albumin and asialofetuin, and synthetic peptides, including GALA and nuclear localization signal peptides. We underscore the importance of understanding the mechanisms of cytoplasmic and nuclear entry of DNA and its dissociation from lipoplexes. We emphasize that the in vitro transfection activity of new lipoplex constructs should be tested in the presence of high serum concentrations to emulate in vivo conditions.
Düzgüneş
Nejat
N
Department of Microbiology, School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, 2155 Webster Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA. nduzgune@sf.uop.edu
De Ilarduya
Conchita Tros
CT
Simões
Sérgio
S
Zhdanov
Renat I
RI
Konopka
Krystyna
K
Pedroso de Lima
Maria C
MC
D000818:Animals; D002412:Cations; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D008081:Liposomes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics
D002412:Cations; D008055:Lipids; D008081:Liposomes; D010455:Peptides; D011506:Proteins