In Vivo Transfection of Animals by Intravenous Injection of Cationic Liposome: DNA Complexes

Abstract

Cationic liposome:DNA complex (CLDC)-mediated gene transfer by intravenous injection results in expression of genes of interest in a variety of animal tissues. Large multilamellar vesicles transfect more efficiently than small unilamellar vesicles when complexed to plasmid DNA, and higher ratios of liposome to DNA result in higher transfection levels. Inclusion of the neutral lipid cholesterol enhances gene expression in animals, and our most efficient liposome formulation to date (DOTIM:cholesterol MLV) produced significant levels of gene expression in a sheep for a period of up to 5 months following a single intravenous injection. In addition, the normal vascular cells surrounding melanoma-induced tumors in mice can be transfected by intravenous injection of CLDC, suggesting sanguine prospects for the possibility of anti-cancer gene therapy by CLDC-mediated intravenous gene transfer.