Sulfhydryl based cationic surfactants and the impact of polyanions on disulfide bond formation: implications for gene transfer vectors

Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro transfection activity of charge-reversal amphiphiles for DNA delivery

A series of charge-reversal lipids were synthesized that possess varying chain lengths and end functionalities. These lipids were designed to bind and then release DNA based on a change in electrostatic interaction with DNA. Specifically, a cleavable ester linkage is located at the ends of the hydrocarbon chains. The DNA release from the amphiphile was tuned by altering the length and position of the ester linkage in the hydrophobic chains of the lipids through the preparation of five new amphiphiles. The amphiphiles and corresponding lipoplexes were characterized by DSC, TEM, and X-ray, as well as evaluated for DNA binding and DNA transfection. For one specific charge-reversal lipid, stable lipoplexes of approximately 550 nm were formed, and with this amphiphile, effective in vitro DNA transfection activities was observed.

Cytoplasmic delivery of liposomal contents mediated by an acid-labile cholesterol-vinyl ether-PEG conjugate

An acid-cleavable PEG lipid, 1'-(4'-cholesteryloxy-3'-butenyl)-omega-methoxy-polyethylene[112] glycolate (CVEP), has been developed that produces stable liposomes when dispersed as a minor component (0.5-5 mol %) in 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE). Cleavage of CVEP at mildly acidic pHs results in dePEGylation of the latently fusogenic DOPE liposomes, thereby triggering the onset of content release. This paper describes the synthesis of CVEP via a six-step sequence starting from the readily available precursors 1,4-butanediol, cholesterol, and mPEG acid. The hydrolysis rates and release kinetics from CVEP/DOPE liposome dispersions as a function of CVEP loading, as well as the cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and pH-dependent monolayer properties of 9:91 CVEP/DOPE mixtures, also are reported. When folate receptor-positive KB cells were exposed to calcein-loaded 5:95 CVEP/DOPE liposomes containing 0.1 mol % folate-modified 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-polyethylene[76] glycolamide (folate-PEG-DSPE), delivery of the calcein cargo to the cytoplasm of the cells was observed as determined by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis of lipid mixing in these cells was consistent with membrane-membrane fusion between the liposome and endosomal membranes.

Effect of lyophilization and freeze-thawing on the stability of siRNA-liposome complexes

The purpose of this research was to describe the application of lyophilization in the delivery of siRNA using cationic lipids by addressing the long-term formulation/stability issues associated with cationic lipids and to understand the mechanism of lyoprotection. siRNA liposomes complexes were formed in different potential cyro/lyoprotectants and subjected to either lyophilization or freeze thaw cycles. siRNA, liposomes and/or lipoplexes were tested for activity, SYBR Green I binding, cellular uptake and particle size. The lipoplexes when lyophilized in the presence of sugars as lyoprotectants could be lyophilized and reconstituted without loss of transfection efficacy but in ionic solutions they lost 65-75% of their functionality. The mechanism of this loss of activity was further investigated. The lyophilization process did not alter siRNA's intrinsic biological activity as was evident by the ability of lyophilized siRNA to retain functionality and SYBR green I binding ability. While the lipoplex size dramatically increased ( approximately 50-70 times) after lyophilization in the absence of non-ionic lyoprotectants. This increase in size correlated to the decrease in cellular accumulation of siRNA and a decrease in activity. In conclusion, siRNAs can be applied in cationic lipid lyophilized formulations and these complexes represent a potential method of increasing the stability of pre-formed complex.

Impact of reductive cleavage of an intramolecular disulfide bond containing cationic gemini surfactant in monolayers and bilayers

The properties of a novel disulfide-bond-containing gemini surfactant bis[N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecyl-N-(2-mercaptoethyl)ammonium bromide] disulfide (DSP) were studied using a Langmuir balance, supported monolayers, differential scanning calorimetry, giant vesicles, and LUVs. In 150 mM NaCl the cmc for DSP was 7.5 microM whereas that of the monomer N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecyl-N-(2-mercaptoethyl)ammonium bromide (MSP) was 12.1 microM. Both surfactants exhibited single endotherms upon DSC, with peak temperatures Tm at 21.7 and 20.1 degrees C for DSP and MSP, respectively. The endotherm for MSP was significantly broader indicating less cooperative melting. Both in monolayers and in vesicles reductive cleavage of the disulfide bond of DSP could be obtained by glutathione (GSH). For Langmuir films of DSP the addition of GSH into the subphase led to a decrease in surface pressure pi as well as surface dipole potential psi. Although the cleavage by GSH was significantly slower in the presence of a charge saturating concentration of DNA, it did not prevent the reaction. The resulting monomers detached from supported monolayers, leading to loss of affinity of the surface for DNA. Disruption of giant vesicles containing DSP within approximately 30 s following a local injection of GSH was observed, revealing membrane destabilization.