Cationic lipid-mediated gene delivery constitutes a promising alternative to viral vectors. Cationic liposomes interact electrostatically with negatively charged DNA forming lipoplexes in which the nucleic acid is compacted and protected from the action of nucleases. Controlling the structure of lipoplexes is a critical task, since it determines the pharmacokinetics and transfection activity of these gene delivery systems. We investigated the effect of condensing plasmids with cationic liposomes containing pyridinium cationic lipids developed by our group, in the absence or in the presence of increased amounts of pyridinium gemini surfactant. We determined the impact of co-lipid, its nature and amount used, presence of gemini surfactant and amount used, and cationic amphiphile/DNA charge ratio on formation and physicochemical properties of corresponding lipoplexes. We will present the interplay of these factors, in a comparative study, revealing the advantages conferred by gemini surfactants towards formulation and control of lipoplex size, physicochemical and transfection properties.

Enhancement of cationic lipid - DNA complex properties by gemini surfactants and its impact in gene delivery

245th National Meeting (2013)

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