Structural stability and increase in size rationalize the efficiency of lipoplexes in serum.
We have investigated the effect of serum on nanometric structure, size, surface potential, DNA-binding capacity, and transfection efficiency of DDAB-DOPE/DNA and DC-Chol-DOPE/DNA lipoplexes as a function of membrane charge density and cationic lipid/DNA charge ratio. In the absence of serum, the nanometric structure and DNA binding capacity of lipoplexes determined the transfection efficiency. When serum was added, the transfection efficiency of all lipoplex formulations was found to increase. We identified structural stability and an increase in size in serum as major parameters regulating the efficiency of lipofection. By extrapolation, we propose that serum, regulating the size of resistant lipid-DNA complexes, can control the mechanism of internalization of lipoplexes and, in turn, their efficiency.
Genetic Immunization Laboratory, Department of Molecular Cellular and Animal Biology, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino MC, Italy.
Cristina
C
Marchini
Maura
M
Montani
Augusto
A
Amici
Heinz
H
Amenitsch
Carlotta
C
Marianecci
Daniela
D
Pozzi
Giulio
G
Caracciolo
D000818:Animals; D002412:Cations / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines / Q000737:chemistry; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D044967:Serum / Q000378:metabolism*; D017356:Synchrotrons; D014162:Transfection; D014965:X-Rays
C410262:1,2-dioleoyl-glycero-3-phosphatidyl ethanolamine; D002412:Cations; D008055:Lipids; D008081:Liposomes; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C046112:didodecyldimethylammonium; D004247:DNA