A cationic lipid emulsion/DNA complex as a physically stable and serum-resistant gene delivery system

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology
• Gene Therapy

Background:

• Non-viral gene delivery systems are crucial for safe and effective gene therapy.
• Developing stable and efficient gene delivery vehicles remains a significant challenge.
• Lipid emulsions offer a promising platform for encapsulating and delivering genetic material.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a non-viral gene delivery system using an oil-in-water (o/w) lipid emulsion.
• To formulate and characterize cationic lipid emulsions for DNA complexation.
• To evaluate the in vitro transfection efficiency and stability of the developed system.

Main Methods:

• Cationic lipid emulsions were formulated using soybean oil and DOTAP (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-trimethylammonium-propane).
• Physical characteristics of emulsions and emulsion/DNA complexes were analyzed (droplet size, zeta potential).
• In vitro transfection efficiency was assessed in the presence of up to 90% serum.

Main Results:

• Emulsions exhibited an average droplet size of ~180 nm and zeta potential of ~+50 mV.
• Emulsion/DNA complexes showed increasing zeta potential with higher emulsion-to-DNA ratios, maintaining complex size.
• Complexes demonstrated stability against DNase I and poly-L-aspartic acid, and facilitated DNA delivery in up to 90% serum.

Conclusions:

• The developed cationic lipid emulsion/DNA complex possesses excellent physical stability.
• The system exhibits significant serum resistance, enhancing its utility for gene transfer.
• This formulation represents a viable non-viral vector for gene delivery applications.