Cationic lipids compact negative DNA by forming lipoplexes (liposome/DNA complexes) that can act as nonviral vehicles in gene therapy. In this work, a variety of cationic colloidal aggregates are presented as potential DNA vectors together with experimental and theoretical tools for their characterization. Zeta potential allows to determining the isoneutrality ratio of the colloidal aggregate-DNA complex, together with its surface density charge. The shape, morphology and size of the lipoplexes are analyzed by cryo-TEM. Lamellar and hexagonal structures of the lipoplexes have been determined with SAXS. Fluidity of the lipidic bilayer is studied through fluorescence anisotropy, and the interaction DNA-colloidal vector has been evaluated by ethidium bromide fluorescence intercalation assays. The influence of the mixed lipid composition and the charge ratio between the cationic lipid and DNA on the lipoplex properties have been also analyzed. Calculated phase diagrams have confirmed the experimental concentration domains and the isoneutrality conditions

Cationic lipids as nonviral compacting agents of DNA

242nd National Meeting (2011)

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