Physicochemical and biological characterization of 1,2-dialkoylamidopropane-based lipoplexes for gene delivery.

Elucidation of the molecular and formulation requirements for efficient lipofection is a prerequisite to enhance the biological activity of cationic lipid-mediated gene delivery systems. To this end, the in vitro lipofection activity of the ionizable asymmetric 1,2-dialkoylamidopropane-based derivatives bearing a single primary amine group as the cationic head group was evaluated. The electrostatic interactions of these cationic lipids with plasmid DNA in serum-free medium were investigated by means of gel electrophoresis retardation and Eth-Br quenching assays. The effect of the inclusion of the helper lipid DOPE in the formulation on these interactions was also considered. The physicochemical properties of these lipids in terms of bilayer fluidity and extent of ionization were investigated using fluorescence anisotropy and surface potential techniques, respectively. The results showed that only the active lipid, 1,2lmp[5], existed in a liquid crystalline state at physiological temperature. Moreover, the extent of ionization of this lipid in assemblies was significantly higher that it's saturated analogues. Inclusion of the helper lipid DOPE improved the encapsulation and association between 1,2lmp[5] and plasmid DNA, which was reflected by the significant boost of lipofection activity of the 1,2lmp[5]/DOPE formulation as compared to the lipid alone. In conclusion, membrane fluidity and sufficient protonation of ionizable cationic lipid are required for efficient association and encapsulation of plasmid DNA and elicit of improved in vitro lipofection activity.

Physicochemical characteristics associated with transfection of cationic cholesterol-based gene delivery vectors in the presence of DOPE.

The physicochemical properties of a novel series of cholesterol-based cationic lipids in the presence of DOPE were studied by various techniques in an effort to correlate cationic lipid structure with transfection efficacy. It was found that while DOPE improves the ß-gal activity of the active AC and MC derivatives, the overall zeta potential of the particles, pDNA complexation and condensation is not improved. This is in stark contrast with the tertiary amine derivative DC whose dispersion properties were improved and its monolayer surface potential is restored at high molecular surface density in the presence of DOPE. Overall the transfection activity mediated by DC and the quaternary ammonium TC derivative was greatly improved in the presence of DOPE and is attributed to decreased cytotoxicity, improved fusogenicity and cellular association.

From gene delivery to gene silencing: plasmid DNA-transfecting cationic lipid 1,3-dimyristoylamidopropane-2-[bis(2-dimethylaminoethane)] carbamate efficiently promotes small interfering RNA-induced RNA interference.

The cationic lipid 1,3-dimyristoylamidopropane-2-[bis(2-dimethylaminoethane)] carbamate (1,3lb2) was applied as a delivery system for small interfering RNA (siRNA) to inhibit the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vitro in human prostate carcinoma cell line PC-3. VEGF protein silencing peaked at 94% when cationic lipid-nucleic acid complexes (lipoplexes) were formulated at a nitrogen:phosphorothioate ratio (N:P) of 2 with a dose concentration of 53.7 nM, and the performance of these lipoplexes was not impeded by serum. Knockdown efficiency was maintained for at least 72 h, and an IC(50) of 12 nM lasted for 48 h. Only 20% of the total siRNA became cell-associated at this N:P, at a rate of 25 ng/h. Lipoplexes of the optimal formulation were relatively monodisperse, having an average diameter of 634 nm and a zeta potential of -21.3 mV. Formation of the 1,3lb2-siRNA complex reached 94% at an N:P of 2 and was positively cooperative; the binding constant was calculated in the range of 10(5) M(-1), and a Hill coefficient of 3 was determined. 1,3lb2 was found to be a nontoxic and potent carrier of siRNA that binds to the nucleic acid effectively and whose lipoplexes promote long-lasting inhibition, have high biological activity at low N:Ps, and are functional in the presence of serum.

Structure-transfection activity studies of novel cationic cholesterol-based amphiphiles.

Inclusion of DOPE in lipoplex formulations has hampered the establishment of a correlation between cationic lipid structure, biological specificity, and transfection activity, simply because the presence of a helper lipid not only alters the physicochemical properties of the lipoplex but also modifies cell surface specific interactions during the process of transfection. To this end, four cationic cholesterol-based derivatives were synthesized by systematically varying the methylation of the polar headgroup, after which the physicochemical properties, in the absence of DOPE and serum, were correlated with their transfection activity and interaction with cell membranes. It was found that only the primary and secondary amine derivatives, AC-Chol and MC-Chol, respectively, are able to mediate in vitro cell transfection. These results were consistent with fusion experiments and cell internalization studies which illustrated that although cell surface binding occurs for all of the cationic lipids, only the active analogues were able to gain entry into the cytosol. Given the minute differences in the physical properties of these cationic derivatives, we speculate that the biological specificity of the active cationic derivatives either triggers endocytotic pathways leading to eventual endosomal fusion allowing cytoplasmic access to the packaged DNA or other endocytotic pathways that avoid lysosomal degradation.

Physicochemical properties affecting lipofection potency of a new series of 1,2-dialkoylamidopropane-based cationic lipids.

The in vitro transfection activity of a novel series of N,N'-diacyl-1,2-diaminopropyl-3-carbamoyl-(aminoethane) derivatives was evaluated against a mouse melanoma cell line at different +/- charge ratios, in the presence and absence of helper lipids. Only the unsaturated derivative N,N'-dioleoyl-1,2-diaminopropyl-3-carbamoyl-(aminoethane), (1,2lmp[5]) mediated significant increase in the reporter gene level which was significantly boosted in the presence of DOPE peaking at +/- charge ratio of 2. The electrostatic interactions between the cationic liposomes and plasmid DNA were investigated by gel electrophoresis, fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and electrophoretic mobility techniques. In agreement with the transfection results, 1,2lmp[5]/DOPE formulation was most efficient in associating with and retarding DNA migration. The improved association between the dioleoyl derivative and DNA was further confirmed by ethidium bromide displacement assay and particle size distribution analysis of the lipoplexes. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed that 1,2lmp[5] was the only lipid that exhibited a main phase transition below 37 degrees C. Likewise, 1,2lmp[5] was the only lipid found to form all liquid expanded monolayers at 23 degrees C. In conclusion, the current findings suggest that high in vitro transfection activity is mediated by cationic lipids characterized by increased acyl chain fluidity and high interfacial elasticity.