Sd. Tiukinhoy et al., Development of echogenic, plasmid-incorporated, tissue-targeted cationic liposomes that can be used for directed gene delivery, INV RADIOL, 35(12), 2000, pp. 732-738
Citations number
24
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology ,Nuclear Medicine & Imaging","Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. Echogenic antibody-conjugated anionic liposomes h
ave been developed that allow directed tissue targeting and acoustic enhanc
ement. These are not efficient for gene delivery. A cationic formulation th
at allows directed gene delivery while retaining acoustic properties may pr
ovide more efficient transfection.
METHODS. Cationic Liposomes were prepared and acoustic reflectivity was det
ermined. Anti-fibrinogen-conjugated liposomes were laid on fibrin-coated sl
ides and adherence was quantified using fluorescence techniques. Liposomes
were combined with a reporter gene and plated on cell cultures. Human umbil
ical vein endothelial cells were stimulated to upregulate intercellular adh
esion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and were treated with anti-ICAM-1-conjugated lipo
somes, and gene expression was quantified.
RESULTS. Cationic liposomes retained their acoustic reflectivity and demons
trated specific adherence to fibrin under how conditions. Significant trans
fection of human umbilical vein endothelial cells was demonstrated, with hi
gher gene expression seen with specific antibody-conjugated liposomes.
CONCLUSIONS. Novel acoustic cationic liposomes have been developed that can
be antibody conjugated for site-specific adherence and directed cell modif
ication. This presents exciting potential for a vector that allows tissue e
nhancement and targeted gene delivery.