title: Enhancement of gene expression and melanin production of human tyrosinase gene loaded in elastic cationic niosomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Disturbance in the synthesis of tyrosinase might be one of the major causes of vitiligo. The enhancement of tyrosinase gene expression and melanin production by loading the plasmid in elastic cationic niosomes was investigated in tyrosinase gene knocked out human melanoma (M5) cells and in tyrosine-producing mouse melanoma (B(16) F(10) ) cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Niosomes composed of Tween 61/cholesterol/dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide at 1:1:0.5 molar ratio were prepared by the freeze-dried empty liposomes method. The thin lipid film was redissolved in distilled water or 25% ethanol to obtain the non-elastic or elastic cationic niosomes, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The maximum loading of the plasmid in non-elastic and elastic niosomes was 130 and 100 µg per 16 mg of the niosomal contents, respectively. The plasmid-loaded elastic cationic niosomes exhibited high specific tyrosinase activity of 1.66 and 1.50 fold in M5 cells and 6.81 and 4.37 fold in B(16) F(10) cells compared with the free plasmid and the plasmid-loaded non-elastic cationic niosomes, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has demonstrated not only the enhancement of the expression of human tyrosinase gene by loading in elastic cationic niosomes, but also the potential application of this gene delivery system for the further development of vitiligo gene therapy.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: Narinthorn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khositsuntiwong
authors.forename: Aranya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manosroi
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Götz
authors.forename: Rolf G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: Worapaka
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Manosroi
authors.forename: Jiradej
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Manosroi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002412:Cations; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004548:Elasticity; D005612:Freeze Drying; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011136:Polysorbates / Q000737:chemistry; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000201:enzymology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D002412:Cations; D008081:Liposomes; D011136:Polysorbates; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase