Optimization of a cationic liposomal gene delivery system and study of its endocytic pathway

Abstract A cationic liposomal gene delivery system comprising DOTAP, DOPE, and cholesterol was prepared and optimized. The results showed that the liposome/DNA (LP/DNA) system had spherical morphology, with a particle size of around 150 nm and zeta potential of approximately 30 mV. Cytotoxicity experiments showed that cells treated with all of the liposome carriers- with the exception of LP1-had more than 80% viability even at a weight ratio of 30. The in vitro transfection efficiency was measured using a Promega™ Luciferase Assay System. Of the tested lipoplexes, LP2/DNA showed the highest cell transfection efficiency (at a weight ratio of 10)-which was similar to or slightly lower than that of Lipofectamine® 2000 in HeLa, A549, and SPC-A1 cell lines. After freeze-drying, the cell transfection efficiency decreased slightly (P>0.05). The cell uptake mechanism study showed that LP/DNA lipoplexes mainly entered cells via clathrin-mediated and caveolin-mediated endocytic pathways. The results confirmed that LP2 has potential for use as an effective gene carrier, and provides experimental evidence to support its further development as a safe and effective gene delivery system.