Effectiveness of liposomes to transfect livestock fibroblasts

The development of an efficient transfection system in livestock cells is an important step towards investigating gene transfer and the functioning and production of transgenic animals. Important factors involved in cationic liposome mediated gene transfer were evaluated through in vitro transfection of bovine, caprine and ovine fibroblast cells. Transfection of plasmid DNA complexes of different commercially available liposomes (Lipofectamine, Lipofectin, Cellfectin and DMRIE-C; Gibco-BRL, USA) was evaluated utilizing the following parameters: DNA/liposome ratio, cell density, DNA conformation, and the effect of transfection time on the efficiency of bovine fibroblasts to express a reporter gene. The effects and concentrations of liposomes were also evaluated in caprine and ovine fibroblasts. Lipofectamine alone and Lipofectamine with Plus reagent induced high-frequency expression of beta-galactosidase and neo genes in all cells evaluated (47 and 88.3%, respectively). Regarding phenotype, chromosomal stability was similar in transfected and non-transfected cells. The parameters set in this study will establish a foundation for utilizing transfected fibroblast cells to generate transgenic animals through nuclear transfer technology and gene function studies.     

Use of a quaternary ammonium detergent in liposome mediated DNA transfection of mouse L-cells

Sonicated liposomes composed of dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) and a quaternary ammonium detergent (dodecyl-, tetradecyl-, or cetyl-trimethylammonium bromide) mediates functional transfer of pSV2 CAT plasmid DNA to mouse L929 fibroblasts. Successful transfection was determined by assaying for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity in cell lysates collected 40 h after exposure to the lipid-DNA complexes. Liposomes prepared with the quaternary ammonium detergents were less toxic than the free detergents at the same concentrations and were more efficient in their delivery of the plasmid DNA to the cells. Analysis of the three detergents in combination with the lipid showed that cetyltrimethylammonium bromide was least toxic to the cells. This detergent, at a minimal concentration of 20 mol% in DOPE, allowed for stable liposome preparations and efficient transfection. Optimal efficiency of transfection occurred with 30 micrograms of DNA. Further increases in the DNA concentration caused a decrease in the transfection efficiency, perhaps due to charge repulsions between the liposomes now saturated with negatively charged DNA and the negatively charged cell surface. The transfection activity of the liposome was limited by its cytotoxicity at high liposome concentrations. These results are compared with that of the Lipofectin, another positively charged liposome preparation which is commercially available. Although the overall transfection activity of the liposome containing the quaternary ammonium detergent is somewhat lower than that of the Lipofectin, it may serve as an inexpensive and convenient alternative.     

The role of helper lipids in cationic liposome-mediated gene transfer.

In the procedure for cationic liposome-mediated transfection, the cationic lipid is usually mixed with a "helper lipid" to increase its transfection potency. The importance of helper lipids, including dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (dioleoyl PE), DO was examined. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy of DNA:cationic complexes containing the pSV-beta-GAL plasmid DNA, the cationic lipid dioleoyl trimethylammonium propane, and these helper lipids showed that the most efficient mixtures were aggregates of ensheathed DNA and fused liposomes. PE-containing complexes aggregated rapidly when added to culture media containing polyanions, whereas PC-containing complexes did not. However, more granules of PC-containing complexes were formed on cell surfaces after the complexes were added to Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in transfection media. Pronase treatment inhibited transfection, whereas dilute poly-L-lysine enhanced transfection, indicating that the attachment of DNA:liposome complexes to cell surfaces was mediated by electrostatic interaction. Fluorescence spectroscopy studies confirmed that more PC-containing complexes than PE-containing complexes were associated with CHO cells, and that more PC-containing complexes were located in a low pH environment (likely to be within endosomes) with time. Cytochalasin-B had a stronger inhibitory effect on PC-containing liposome-mediated than on PE-containing liposome-mediated transfection. Confocal microscopic recording of the fluorescently label lipid and DNA uptake process indicated that many granules of DNA:cationic liposome complexes were internalized as a whole, whereas some DNA aggregates were left out on the cell surfaces after liposomes of the complexes fused with the plasma membranes. For CHO cells, endocytosis seems to be the main uptake pathway of DNA:cationic liposome complexes. More PC-containing granules than PE-containing granules were formed on cell surfaces by cytoskeleton-directed membrane motion, after their respective DNA:liposome complexes attached to cell surfaces by electrostatic means. Formation of granules on the cell surface facilitated and/or triggered endocytosis. Fusion between cationic liposomes and the cell membrane played a secondary role in determining transfection efficiency.     

Analysis and optimization of the cationic lipid component of a lipid/peptide vector formulation for enhanced transfection in vitro and in vivo

We have previously described a lipopolyplex formulation comprising a mixture of a cationic peptide with an integrin-targeting motif (K16GACRRETAWACG) and Lipofectin, a liposome consisting of DOTMA and DOPE in a 1:1 ratio. The high transfection efficiency of the mixture involved a synergistic interaction between the lipid/peptide components. The aim of this study was to substitute the lipid component of the lipopolyplex to optimize transfection further and to seek information on the structure-activity relationship of the lipids in the lipopolyplex. Symmetrical cationic lipids with diether linkages that varied in alkyl chain length were formulated into liposomes and then incorporated into a lipopolyplex by mixing with an integrin-targeting peptide and plasmid DNA. Luciferase transfections were performed of airway epithelial cells and fibroblasts in vitro and murine lung airways in vivo. The biophysical properties of lipid structures and liposome formulations and their potential effects on bilayer membrane fluidity were determined by differential scanning calorimetry and calcein-release assays. Shortening the alkyl tail from C18 to C16 or C14 enhanced lipopolyplex and lipoplex transfection in vitro but with differing effects. The addition of DOPE enhanced transfection when formulated into liposomes with saturated lipids but was more variable in its effects with unsaturated lipids. A substantial improvement in transfection efficacy was seen in murine lung transfection with unsaturated lipids with 16 carbon alkyl tails. The optimal liposome components of lipopolyplex and lipoplex vary and represent a likely compromise between their differing structural and functional requirements for complex formation and endosomal membrane destabilization.     

人肾细胞癌细胞阳离子脂质体的转染效率

以ＭＴＳ染色法测定实验剂量的Ｌｉｐｏｆｅｃｔｉｎ对细胞的毒性作用,以β－半乳糖苷酶基因为报告基因,通过Ｌｉｐｏｆｅｃｔｉｎ而转染,用Ｘ－ｇａｌ染色法,测定转染效率,结果表明实验剂量（１０μｇ／ｍｌ）的Ｌｉｐｏｆｅｃｔｉｎ对细胞生长无明显毒性。Ｌｉｐｏｆｅｃｔｉｎ对多数肾细胞癌细胞的转染是有效的,且转染效率随Ｌｉｐｏｆｅｃｔｉｎ 度的增高（２．５－１０μｇ／ｍｌ）而增高,说明Ｌｉｐｏｆｅｃｔｉｎ可安     

A new cationic liposome for efficient gene delivery with serum into cultured human cells: a quantitative analysis using two independent fluorescent probes

Cationic liposomes are useful to transfer genes into eukaryotic cells in vitro and in vivo. However, liposomes with good transfection efficiency are often cytotoxic, and also require serum-free conditions for optimal activity. In this report, we describe a new formulation of cationic liposome containing DC-6-14, O,O'-ditetradecanoyl-N-(alpha-trimethylammonioacetyl)diethan olamine chloride, dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine and cholesterol for gene delivery into cultured human cells. This liposome, dispersed in 5% serum-containing growth medium, efficiently delivered a plasmid DNA for GFP (green fluorescent protein) into more than 80% of the cultured human cell hybrids derived from HeLa cells and normal fibroblasts. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the efficiency of the GFP gene expression was 40-50% in a tumor-suppressed cell hybrid, while it was greatly reduced in the tumorigenic counterpart. The enhanced GFP expression in tumor-suppressed cell hybrids was quantitatively well correlated with a prolonged presence of the plasmid DNA, which had been labeled with another fluorescent probe, ethidium monoazide, within the cells. These results suggest that a newly developed cationic liposome is useful for gene delivery in serum-containing medium into human cells and the stability of the plasmid DNA inside the cell is a crucial step in this liposome-mediated gene expression. The mechanisms by which cationic liposome mediates gene transfer into eukaryotic cells are also discussed.     

Transfection property of a new cholesterol-based cationic lipid containing tri-2-hydroxyethylamine as gene delivery vehicle

A novel cholesterol-based cationic lipid containing a tri-2- hydroxyethylamine head group and ether linker (Chol- THEA) was synthesized and examined as a potent gene delivery vehicle. In the preparation of cationic liposome, the addition of DOPE as helper lipid significantly increased the transfection efficiency. To find the optimum transfection efficiency, we screened various weight ratios of DOPE and liposome/DNA (N/P). The best transfection efficiency was found at the Chol-THEA:DOPE weight ratio of 1:1 and N/P weight ratio of 10~15. Most of the plasmid DNA was retarded by this liposome at the optimum N/P weight ratio of 10. The transfection efficiency of Chol-THEA liposome was compared with DOTAP, Lipofectamine, and DMRIE-C using the luciferase assay and GFP expression. Chol-THEA liposome with low toxicity had better or similar potency of gene delivery compared with commercial liposomes in COS-7, Huh-7, and MCF-7 cells. Therefore, Chol-THEA could be a useful non-viral vector for gene delivery.     

Symmetrical cationic triglycerides: an efficient synthesis and application to gene transfer

Some cationic triglycerides 1Aa-1Cb which have a symmetrical structure were effectively synthesized and formulated into cationic liposomes with the co-lipid dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) and/or dilauroylphosphatidylcholine (DLPC). The plasmid encoding a luciferase was delivered into CHO cells by using these cationic liposomes. Our symmetrical cationic triglycerides showed high transfection activity when DOPE was used as a co-lipid. Among the symmetrical cationic triglycerides synthesized here, 1Ab and 1Ac, which have an oleoyl group at the 1- and 3-position in the glycerol backbone and also have a relatively long linker connecting the 2-hydroxy group in glycerol with the quaternary ammonium head group, were found to be the most suitable for gene delivery into cells. The transfection activity of the symmetrical cationic triglyceride 1Ab was comparable with that of its asymmetrical congener 6 and several times higher than that of Lipofectin.     

阳性脂质体介导反义寡聚核苷酸转染HeLa细胞的效果研究

采用FITC标记的未经修饰的和经过修饰的两种19-mer反义寡聚核苷酸序列(ODN19和S-ODN19)作为转染物质,用流式细胞技术(FCM)研究比较几种常用阳性脂质体介导的寡聚核苷酸转染HeLa细胞的效果及适宜的转染时间。未经化学修饰的ODN19转染结果显示,LipofectAmine和DM-RIE-C增强转染的作用相对较强,而其他两种脂质体的作用并不明显。对于经过修饰的S-ODN19转染而言,四种阳性脂质体均具有增强S-ODN19转染作用,但以LipofectAmine的效果最为明显,其转染效果(FITC均值为5203.11)为无脂质体介导对照的数十倍。四种阳性脂质体的增强转染作用排序为:LipofectAmine>FuGENE6>Lipofectin>DM-RIR-C。另外,在用FuGENE6介导寡聚核苷酸转染时,采用4小时转染时间可获较好转染效果。     

A multi-step lipid mixing assay to model structural changes in cationic lipoplexes used for in vitro transfection.

Formation of liposome/polynucleotide complexes (lipoplexes) involves electrostatic interactions, which induce changes in liposome structure. The ability of these complexes to transfer DNA into cells is dependent on the physicochemical attributes of the complexes, therefore characterization of binding-induced changes in liposomes is critical for the development of lipid-based DNA delivery systems. To clarify the apparent lack of correlation between membrane fusion and in vitro transfection previously observed, we performed a multi-step lipid mixing assay to model the sequential steps involved in transfection. The roles of anion charge density, charge ratio and presence of salt on lipid mixing and liposome aggregation were investigated. The resonance-energy transfer method was used to monitor lipid mixing as cationic liposomes (DODAC/DOPE and DODAC/DOPC; 1:1 mole ratio) were combined with plasmid, oligonucleotides or Na(2)HPO(4). Cryo-transmission electron microscopy was performed to assess morphology. As plasmid or oligonucleotide concentration increased, lipid mixing and aggregation increased, but with Na(2)HPO(4) only aggregation occurred. NaCl (150 mM) reduced the extent of lipid mixing. Transfection studies suggest that the presence of salt during complexation had minimal effects on in vitro transfection. These data give new information about the effects of polynucleotide binding to cationic liposomes, illustrating the complicated nature of anion induced changes in liposome morphology and membrane behavior.     

Gene transfection efficiency of tracheal epithelial cells by DC-chol-DOPE/DNA complexes.

We evaluated the transfection efficiency of five different cationic liposome/plasmid DNA complexes, during the in vitro gene transfer into human epithelial tracheal cell lines. A dramatic correlation between the transfection efficiency and the charge ratio (positive charge of liposome to negative charge of DNA) has been found. DC-Chol-DOPE was found to be the most effective liposome formulation. Therefore, a morphological and structural analysis of DC-Chol-DOPE liposomes and DC-Chol-DOPE/DNA complexes, has been performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), respectively. The process of interaction between DC-Chol-DOPE/DNA complexes and human epithelial tracheal cells has been studied by CLSM. These results raise some issues for in vivo gene therapy.     

A novel cationic liposome reagent for efficient transfection of mammalian cells

A novel cationic derivative of cholesterol, 3 beta [N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl] cholesterol (DC-Chol), has been synthesized and used to prepare sonicated liposomes with dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine. This novel cationic liposome reagent facilitates efficient DNA mediated transfection in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells, A549 human lung carcinoma cells, L929 mouse fibroblast cells, and YPT minipig primary endothelial cells. The activity was greater than that of a commercial reagent, Lipofectin, and was approximately 4-fold less toxic than Lipofectin when assayed with A431 cells. The reagent is easy to synthesize and stable for at least 6 weeks.     

The use of low-molecular-weight PEIs as gene carriers in the monkey fibroblastoma and rabbit smooth muscle cell cultures

Background

Polyethylenimines (PEIs) and cationic polymers have been used successfully in gene delivery. In earlier reports, only large PEIs (MW>10 000) have shown significant transfection efficiency. In the present study, the roles of small PEIs (MW 700 and 2000) were studied as additional compounds to see if they can improve gene delivery with cationic liposomes.

Methods

The TKBPVlacZ expression plasmid was transfected in the CV1‐P (monkey fibroblastoma) and SMC (rabbit smooth muscle) cell lines using various combinations of PEIs (MW 700, 2000, and 25 000) and Dosper liposomes. The transfection efficiency was determined with the fluorometric ONPG (o‐nitrophenol‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside) assay and histochemical X‐gal staining. The toxicity of the transfection reagents was estimated by the MTT [3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazolyl‐2)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay.

Results

Transfection of TKBPVlacZ plasmid by the small PEIs (MW 700 and 2000) combined with Dosper liposomes was associated with high expression of the lacZ reporter gene in the CV1‐P and SMC cell lines. The transfection efficiencies of the low‐molecular‐weight PEI/liposome combinations were several fold higher than those of PEIs or liposomes alone. PEI/liposome combinations had no toxicity on the cell lines tested.

Conclusions

The low‐molecular‐weight PEIs could be used successfully for gene delivery when combined with the cationic liposomes, resulting in a synergistic increase of the transfection efficiency in both cell lines studied. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Asialoglycoprotein receptor and liposome synergistically mediate the gene transfer into primary rat hepatocytes

Gene transfer into primary rat hepatocytes was performed by employing cationic liposome as DNA carrier and the specific ligand of hepatic asialoglycopmtein receptor (ASGPR), asialofetuin, as liver-targeting ligand. The results showed that asialofetuin, when added to the gene transfer complexes, could significantly increase the hepatocyte transfection efficiency, and alleviate the cellular toxicity of Lipofectin. Several synthetic ligands of ASGPR (galactosyl albumin) could also increase the transfection efficiency of hepatocyte like asialofetuin. It was proved that ASGPR and cationic liposome could synergistically mediate the gene transfer into primary rat hepatocytes. This novel gene delivery system provided a safer, more simple and efficient gene transfer method for primary hepatocytes, and showed prospecting application in hepatic gene therapy.     

Asialoglycoprotein receptor and liposome synergistically mediate the gene transfer into primary rat hepatocytes

Gene transfer into primary rat hepatocytes was performed by employing cationic liposome as DNA carrier and the specific ligand of hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), asialofetuin, as liver-targeting ligand. The resuits showed that asialofetuin, when added to the gene transfer complexes, could significantly increase the hepatocyte transfeetion efficiency, and alleviate the cellular toxicity of Lipofectin. Several synthetic ligands of ASGPR (galactosyl albumin) could also increase the transfection efficiency of hepatocyte like asialofetuin. It was proved that ASGPR and cationic liposome could synergistically mediate the gene transfer into primary rat hepatoeytes. This novel gene delivery system provided a safer, more simple and efficient gene transfer method for primary hepatocytes, and showed prospecting application in hepatic gene therapy.     

Successful transfection of hepatoma cells after encapsulation of plasmid DNA into negatively charged liposomes

The application of conventional cationic liposomes/DNA complexes in gene transfer was hampered due to their large size, instability, and limited transfection site in vivo. In this report, we described a dialysis-based method and produced small, stable, and negatively charged DNA-containing liposomes composed of low content of cationic lipid and high content of fusogenic lipid. The liposomes were relatively spherical with a condensed core inside, and exhibited small size with narrow particle size distribution. The encapsulation efficiency of the liposomes was 42.53 +/- 2.29%. They were stable and showed enough protective ability to plasmid DNA from degradation after incubation with different amounts of DNase. Twenty-fold higher transfection efficiency for the liposomes was achieved when compared with that of naked plasmid DNA and no toxicities to hepatocellular carcinoma cells were observed. Our results indicate that the negatively charged DNA-containing liposomes can facilitate gene transfer in cultured cells, and may alleviate the drawbacks of the conventional cationic liposomes/DNA complexes for gene delivery in vivo.     

Lipid composition of cationic nanoliposomes implicate on transfection efficiency

Abstract

Cationic liposome (CL)-DNA complexes (lipoplexes) have appeared as leading nonviral gene carriers in worldwide gene therapy clinical trials. Arriving at therapeutic dosages requires the full understanding of the mechanism of transfection. However, using CLs to deliver therapeutic nucleic acids and drugs to target organs have some problems, including low transfection efficiency. The aim of this study was developing novel CLs containing four neutral lipids; cholesterol, 1,2-dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine, distearoylphosphatidylcholine and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine as a helper lipid and dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide as a cationic lipid to increase transfection efficiency. We have investigated the correlation between number of lipid composition and transfection efficiency. The morphology, size and zeta potential of liposomes and lipoplexes were measured and lipoplexes formation was monitored by gel retardation assay. Transfection efficiency was assessed using firefly luciferase reporter assay. It was found that transfection efficiency markedly depended on liposome to plasmid DNA (pDNA) weight ratio, lipid composition and efficiency of pDNA entrapment. High transfection efficiency of plasmid by four component lipoplexes was achieved. Moreover, lipoplexes showed lower transfection efficiency and less cytotoxicity compared to Lipofectamine?. These results suggest that lipid composition of nanoliposomes is an important factor in control of their physical properties and also yield of transfection.     

Structure Relationship of Cationic Lipids on Gene Transfection Mediated by Cationic Liposomes

The aim of this study was to investigate the transfection efficiency of cationic liposomes formulated with phosphatidylcholine (PC) and novel synthesized diethanolamine-based cationic lipids at a molar ratio of 5:1 in comparison with Lipofectamine™ 2000. Factors affecting transfection efficiency and cell viability, including the chemical structure of the cationic lipids, such as different amine head group (diamine and polyamine; and non-spermine and spermine) and acyl chain lengths (C14, C16, and C18) and the weight ratio of liposomes to DNA were evaluated on a human cervical carcinoma cell line (HeLa cells) using the pDNA encoding green fluorescent protein (pEGFP-C2). Characterizations of these lipoplexes in terms of size and charge measurement and agarose gel electrophoresis were performed. The results from this study revealed that almost no transfection was observed in the liposome formulations composed of cationic lipids with a non-spermine head group. In addition, the transfection efficiency of these cationic liposomes was in the following order: spermine-C14 > spermine-C16 > spermine-C18. The highest transfection efficiency was observed in the formulation of spermine-C14 liposomes at a weight ratio of 25; furthermore, this formulation was safe for use in vitro. In conclusion, cationic liposomes containing spermine head groups demonstrated promising potential as gene carriers.Key words: cationic lipids, cationic liposomes, gene transfection     

Rapid delivery of small interfering RNA by biosurfactant MEL-A-containing liposomes

The downregulation of gene expression by RNA interference holds great potential for genetic analysis and gene therapy. However, a more efficient delivery system for small interfering RNA (siRNA) into the target cells is required for wide fields such as cell biology, physiology, and clinical application. Non-viral vectors are stronger candidates than viral vectors because they are safer and easier to prepare. We have previously used a new method for gene transfection by combining cationic liposomes with the biosurfactant mannosylerythritol lipid-A (MEL-A). The novel MEL-A-containing cationic liposomes rapidly delivered DNA (plasmids and oligonucleotides) into the cytosol and nucleus through membrane fusion between liposomes and the plasma membrane, and consequently, enhanced the gene transfection efficiency. In this study, we determined the efficiency of MEL-A-containing cationic liposomes for siRNA delivery. We observed that exogenous and endogenous protein expression was suppressed by approximately 60% at 24 h after brief (30 min) incubation of target cells with MEL-A-containing cationic liposome/siRNA complexes. Confocal microscopic analysis showed that suppression of protein expression was caused by rapid siRNA delivery into the cytosol. We found that the MEL-A-containing cationic liposomes directly delivered siRNA into the cytoplasm by the membrane fusion in addition to endocytotic pathway whereas Lipofectamine™ RNAiMax delivered siRNA only by the endocytotic pathway. It seems that the ability to rapidly and directly deliver siRNA into the cytosol using MEL-A-containing cationic liposomes is able to reduce immune responses, cytotoxicity, and other side effects caused by viral vectors in clinical applications.