Cationic nanoemulsions as non-viral vectors for plasmid DNA delivery

Chi Hsien Liu*, Shin Ying Yu

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

Non-viral gene carriers have been extensively investigated as alternatives to viral vectors for therapeutic gene delivery. Many cationic lipid carriers including liposomes, emulsions, and solid lipid nanoparticles are used to transfer plasmid DNA. Stable nanoemulsions were prepared and modified by conjugating fatty acids with cationic amino acids including lysine, arginine, and histidine with the help of carbodiimide. Concentrations of crosslinker and amino acids were optimized to obtain the maximal surface potential. The zeta potential and size distribution of the cationic nanoemulsions were measured using photon correlation spectroscopy. The morphology of nanoemulsion-DNA complexes was examined by transmission electron microscopy. The transfection efficiencies and cytotoxicity of three cationic nanoemulsions were evaluated using 3T3 fibroblast cells. The maximal zeta potentials of lysine-, arginine-, and histidine-modified nanoemulsions were 50, 43, and 7. mV, respectively. The transfection efficiencies of amino acid-modified nanoemulsions were in the order of lysine > arginine > histidine. Low cytotoxicities of these three amino acid-modified nanoemulsions were observed. A facile and inexpensive in situ modification for producing cationic nanoemulsions was developed. The results show the potential of amino acid-modified cationic nanoemulsions as non-viral vectors for gene delivery.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)509-515
Number of pages7
JournalColloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces
Volume79
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 09 2010

Keywords

  • Cationic nanoemulsion
  • Plasmid delivery

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