title: Cationic liposomes for gene delivery.
abstract: Cationic liposome-DNA complexes (lipoplexes) constitute a potentially viable alternative to viral vectors for the delivery of therapeutic genes. This review will focus on various parameters governing lipoplex biological activity, from their mode of formation to in vivo behaviour. Particular emphasis is given to the mechanism of interaction of lipoplexes with cells, in an attempt to dissect the different barriers that need to be surpassed for efficient gene expression to occur. Aspects related to new trends in the formulation of lipid-based gene delivery systems aiming at overcoming some of their limitations will be covered. Finally, examples illustrating the potential of cationic liposomes in clinical applications will be provided.
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Portugal. ssimoes@ci.uc.pt
authors.forename: Sérgio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Filipe
authors.forename: Henrique
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Faneca
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mano
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Penacho
authors.forename: Nejat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Düzgünes
authors.forename: Maria Pedroso
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: de Lima
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002412:Cations; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005544:Forecasting; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D009685:Nuclear Envelope / Q000378:metabolism; D010316:Particle Size; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D002412:Cations; D008081:Liposomes; D004247:DNA