Cationic liposomes-mediated plasmid DNA delivery in murine hepatitis induced by carbon tetrachloride

In order to elucidate the influence of hepatic disease stage on cationic liposomes-mediated gene delivery, we investigated the cationic liposomes-mediated plasmid DNA delivery with time in murine hepatitis induced by subcutaneous injection of CCl₄. Liver injury after injection of CCl₄ was confirmed by the determination of serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities. Two kinds of liposomes constructed with N-1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethlylammoniumchloride and dioleylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOTMA-DOPE) or DOTMA and cholesterol (DOTMA-CHOL) were used for the gene-delivery vector. We determined luciferase activities in various organs after the intravenous administration of the lipoplexes. The CCl₄-treated mice administered with DOTMA-DOPE lipoplexes showed the more significant decreases of transgene expression in the liver and spleen at 18 hours after CCl₄ injection. On the other hand, the CCl₄-treated mice administered with DOTMA-CHOL lipoplexes showed a significant increase in the liver at 48 hours. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that murine hepatitis induced by CCl₄ can influence cationic liposomes-mediated plasmid DNA delivery. The extent of influences was also affected by lipid contents. These results indicate the necessity of considering the timing and the formulation for gene therapy according to the disease stage.