Intracellular delivery of liposome-encapsulated prolidase in cultured fibroblasts from prolidase-deficient patients

Liposomes were prepared, with a 1:1 PC:Col molar ratio with or without DSPE-PEG, by a thin-film hydration. Ex-vivo experiments were performed, incubating prolidase loaded liposomes with cultured fibroblasts from PD patients and from controls, to determine the amount of active enzyme delivered to cells. Evaluation of liposomes toxicity on cultured skin fibroblasts showed that liposomes did not interfer with cellular growth. Results showed that all the active prolidase encapsulated in the liposomes was completely vehiculated inside fibroblasts after 6 days incubation. SEM analysis suggests that prolidase is vehiculated inside the cell through liposome endocytosis.