Preparation and characterization of a gemini surfactant-based biomimetic complex for gene delivery

Gemini surfactants (GS) have been explored as non-viral gene delivery systems. Nevertheless, their cytotoxicity and the limitations in the in vivo studies have impeded their development. To attenuate toxicity and further explore their possibilities in gene delivery, a series of GS (18-7-18)-based gene delivery systems complexed with red blood cell membranes (RBCM) or/and DOPE-PEG₂₀₀₀ (DP) were prepared and evaluated. EGFP-encoding plasmids were delivered via GS-based complexes and the efficiency of gene transfection was evaluated by imaging of the major organs after intravenous administration in mice and qPCR quantification in hepatocytes. In order to assess the safety of GS-based complexes, the hemolysis test, serum biochemical indices, H&E staining and CCK-8 test were examined. The results revealed that EGFP was primarily expressed in livers, and all complexes showed minimal acute toxicity to major organs. Moreover, we found that the dual incorporation of RBCM and DP could significantly elevate the transfection efficiency and cell viability in hepatocytes. Overall, the results indicated that GS-based complexes possessed great potential as vectors for gene delivery both in vivo and in vitro and the dual incorporation of RBCM and DP could be a promising gene delivery approach with high transfection efficacy and low toxicity.